In memory of Dr. Dave Johnson

10/15/2022

In memory of Dr. Dave Johnson

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With heavy hearts, we honor the passing of Dr. Dave Johnson.
Dave was a highly revered member of North Sound Trout Unlimited and 4th Corner Fly Fishers and generously gave much of his resources to both organizations. He was an incredibly passionate steelheader that spoke up for wild steelhead at every opportunity. All of us here at NSTU will really miss Dave.

Dave and his wife JoAnn have asked that donations be made in Dave's honor to North Sound Trout Unlimited. Please feel free to leave a comment here with a note for his family and/or to share a favorite memory of Dave.

NSTU will continue to work to recover wild steelhead in the rivers that Dave knew and loved.
Tight lines, Dave.

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12 Comments

Robert Jorgenson

10/15/2022 08:16:27 pm

I met Dave early in my fly fishing journey and late in his. I will never forget the time he came up with a carefully collected sample of what a trout had eaten and proceeded to tie a coronomid exactly like the contents of the fish stomach. Dave was kind to me, spent a great deal of his time explaining how to tie on and fish using coronomids. What a kind man! If I only had 10 more years with you.
Bob

Bridget Moran

10/16/2022 06:11:05 am

I will really miss seeing Dave at our chapter meetings and events. He always had a great smile and showed up with intentional curiosity. A few months back, I bought one of Dave's Hardy reels. I will cherish it even more now. May you find endless cold, clean steelhead runs in the great beyond, Dave. Thank you for all of your support over the years.

Joe Nolting

10/16/2022 07:57:13 am

I had the privilege of knowing Dave for the last several years. As we shared conversations, his intelligence, kindness and humility became evident. I learned from others that Dave had been a wonderful pediatrician who cared for Bellingham kids for decades. And that over the years he had created and maintained miles of walking trails. My fishing friends told me about Dave's skill in tying flies and catching (and releasing) steelhead.

Dave battled complex medical conditions for much of his life, but I never once heard him complain. He was a warrior, a life-long learner, and a kind of Renaissance man. Our world is a better place because of him and he will be greatly missed.

Chris Calverley

10/16/2022 09:26:48 am

Dave was such a huge influence to so many. He was an amazing husband, father, Doctor, fisherman, humanitarian and the list goes on. He will truly be missed by all over the years I was fortunate to enjoy our walks on his trail network at home, camping trips and dinners etc etc. I know Dave will be looking over us with a smile. Rest In Peace My Friend.
Chris Calverley.

Steve Kopp

10/19/2022 09:35:04 pm

I found a kinship with Dave over our shared passion for wild native fish and concerns about their future. A wealth of fisheries and fishing knowledge he was more than happy to share. I regret that I only began to know Dave well in the last few years and wish we'd met much sooner. His presence and influence will be missed.

Beth Neff

10/21/2022 10:27:20 am

Dave and I shared a bond not of fish or fishing...I just loved getting up early to have oatmeal with him. I loved the morning moments when the day hadn't taken over his thoughts. I loved hearing his profound outlook on the world of trail building, healthcare and love. I loved the little moment I would discover a way to help make his world easier.
The winter had dropped a big tree on his property it was bucked up but needed to be split. I was visiting to play in racquetball tournament. I remember as if it was yesterday, just so you know it wasn't.
I was fit and was a loggers daughter who loved to split wood.
" I would be honored if I could split that tree up for you," I remember saying during our oatmeal breakfast.
"That would be real nice, but you have a match today don't wear yourself out."
I immediately proceed to the tree knock it out like a Paul Bunyan super hero. It was so amazing....
Truth is I did wear myself out and drove the axe into my shin on a missed strike. He never knew because he would have over reacted as the kind human he was.
I lost my match that day, but won so much more in my connection to a man I will always adore and remember with so much love and a fondness I can't express in words.

Julia Ban

10/21/2022 11:15:45 am

I grew up with his daughters Megan and Annalisa since we were babies. We went on numerous camping trips and I always enjoyed his kindness, loving heart and being like a second father to me. Rest In Peace Dave. May his memory be a blessing always.
Julia Ban

Ken Marshall

10/21/2022 12:04:02 pm

Vicky and I were friends of Dave's when we asked him to be the pediatrician for the child we were expecting. Dave was in the operating room when Vicky had to have a Caesarian. Nicole Marshall, M.D., and I share the belief that Dave later saved her life when he diagnosed meningitis. Dave was an outstanding physician, and a beautiful man - kind, patient, gifted and wise. We were blessed to have him in our lives. ❤

Pete Lamb

10/23/2022 11:41:14 am

I had the pleasure of working with Dave, and Dan Coombs, on various conservation projects which the 4th. Corner Fly Fishing Club participated in, learning a lot from both of them.

A few years later, I was fishing on the Skykomish River, and was excited to catch my first steelhead. I thought of taking it home, but Dave shook his head, saying, "catch and release", which I did, learning a valuable lesson!

When Dave heard that I was making custom fly fishing nets, he asked me to make one for him. I was honored by his request, and we worked together on his design, producing a "Skagit Bodied"fly net, which he was proud to own.

Thanking you for all your conservation efforts; you will be missed, dear friend. "Tight lines and fish well."

Pete Lamb

Steve Kimberley

10/27/2022 11:03:57 am

When we first came to town, in the early 80's, Dave welcomed me by introducing me to NW Corner fishing. Steelhead, and Coastal Cutthroat. Additionally, he welcomed mea as a professional colleague. I enjoyed many conversations with Dave about fishing, kids and the environment. Tight lines, Dave.

tom derleth

11/28/2022 09:49:36 am

Carol and I have known Dave since 1975. He has been a friend and pediatrician to our family over those years. He was always interesting and enjoyable to be with. He did many things for our community and individuals as has been noted. The only time I questioned Dave's sanity was when he tried to convince me that standing in an ice-cold river in sleet/snow/rain to try to catch a steelhead was fun. He was great person, and we are glad to have known him, and like all who knew him he will be missed.

Lou DiNicola

12/7/2022 05:56:56 pm

I met Dave in 1973 when we were both at Children's Hospital of Pittsburg. Dave was my resident during my entire internship. He was a great teacher and an amazing friend. Even when he went back west to finish his pediatric residency, we maintained our friendship for the next 49 years. Dave was my best friend. Even though we never fished together, I learned more about fishing from him than I learned medicine. Most importantly Dave, JoAnn and their family became part of our family even though we were 3000 miles away. We shared many hiking and camping trips, trips to Hawaii, the Islands of Puget Sound, hiking and snowshoeing in Vermont, trail building in Vermont and Washington and many other times together. I will miss Dave but he will always be a part of me.
Lou DiNicola

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In memory of Dr. Dave Johnson

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