Alan Potter Johnson

Alan Potter Johnson, 90, of Tempe, Arizona passed away peacefully on April 28 at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, Arizona, with loving family by his side.  Alan received degrees from Amherst College, University of Michigan, and University of Minnesota. After completing his military service, he became a professor of English literature, beginning his career in the Midwest before joining the faculty at Arizona State University in 1967 where he taught until his retirement in 1996. Along with his teaching, he relished his trips to England where he pursued his scholarly research of Victorian literature. After retirement, he continued to serve as a board member and legislative liaison of the ASU Retirees Association and enjoyed meeting with his Emeritus group where he shared his poetry and discussed issues of the day. He was known by his students, colleagues, and friends as a man of integrity and intelligence.  Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He met Borgny, the love of his life, in graduate school, and they were inseparable for 67 wonderful years of marriage. They shared a passion for books, art, music, and travel, especially their many trips over the years to visit their daughters and grandkids. A cross country runner and mountain climber in his youth, he shared his love of nature and outdoor recreation, organizing many camping and hiking trips for his family over the years. He also passed on his work ethic and his values of fairness and compassion. His children and grandchildren will always remember his support and enthusiasm for all their endeavors.  He is survived by his devoted wife and soulmate Borgny; his daughters and sons-in-law: Andrea and Gilles Combet, Leslie and Bruce Cohen, and Natalie and Jeffrey Nii; his grandchildren Yolanda Combet, Jake and Mandi Cohen, Sam Cohen, Ray Cohen, and Alana Nii; and his great-grandchildren Miles and Avery Cohen. He is also survived by nieces Lisa Rovick, Solveg Peterson, Karen Pinto, and nephew Ken Johnson.  Special thanks to all the staff of Friendship Village of Tempe where he enjoyed comfort and comradery during the last years of his life.  A private family burial will be held.  Online condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.richardsonfuneralhome.org and clicking on the obituary for Alan Johnson.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to the Sierra Club at https://www.teamsierra.org/memorial/AlanJohnsonMemorial   Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the Johnson family.