Obituaries
Marshall M. Johnson, Rutgers Loyal Son, Dies at 85
Spent 30 years with the CBS Television Network, served in Korea, played tennis and practiced magic.
Marshall M. Johnson, 85, died on June 9, 2014.
Johnson was born on June 6, 1929, the son of the late Kenneth and Grace Johnson of South Orange, NJ. He is remembered in South Orange as the center on Columbia High School’s winning basketball team.
In 1951, he graduated from Rutgers University. He received varsity letters in soccer, basketball, tennis and won the Senior Speech Contest in extemporaneous public speaking. As an alumnus, he served for five years as Class President and was Class Historian until his death. He received the Rutgers Loyal Son Award.
Johnson was active with his fraternity, Delta Upsilon. He served on its International Board of Directors and received the Meritorious Service Award.
He also served for 30 years on the Rutgers Chapter Board of Directors.
After Rutgers, Johnson served as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served in Korea during the Korean War and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two campaign stars, the United Nations Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the National Defense Service Medal. He was discharged with the rank of Captain.
In 1954, Johnson received a master's degree in Radio and Television from Syracuse University. This was followed by a 30-year career with the CBS Television Network in New York City. He retired with the position of Production Supervisor.
His civic activities included being a two-term member of the Sparta, NJ Board of Education, Cub Master of Glen Ridge, NJ and a member of the Vestry of the Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Bloomfield, NJ.
In 1986, Johnson retired to Florida. He was very active in tennis, including being captain of the Division 1 Championship team in the Palm Beach Senior League and winning the Delray Senior Games Singles Championship.
He was active in his hobby of magic. He belonged to the Parent Assembly #1 of the Society of American Magicians. In Florida, he belonged to Rings #117 and #274 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Johnson is survived by his long-time companion, Alfhild Roff of Highland Beach, FL, and a son, Gregory, from a previous marriage.
Johnson is an 11th generation descendant of Captain Edward Johnson, who founded the City of Woburn, Mass., in 1634. He will be buried in the Johnson family plot in Woburn.
