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In recent years the Angel of Death has carried away many members of the Class of 1923, and the sad occurrences have followed one upon the other with regrettable frequency. <em>Francis Rarick Johnson</em> died at his home in Palo Alto, California, Sunday morning, May 1, 1960. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Miller Johnson; his daughter, Betsy Johnson Scott; a grandson, Stephen Rarick Scott; and a brother, Dr. Herbert Johnson of Cleveland.</div>
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Since we were in different battalions while at West Point, I did not have the good fortune to know Francis R. Johnson well as a cadet. However, having graduated Number One, he was one of the best known members of the class.</div>
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lt was no surprise to the class that “Sam” should choose the Engineers, where his ability in mathematics and kindred subjects would be utilized. He served both as a second and first lieutenant of Engineers until an illness caused his retirement from the Army in 1929.</div>
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In 1925, while still holding his commission in the Army, Johnson was appointed a Rhodes Scholar. Incidentally, he was one of a group of three West Pointers to first attend Oxford. There he specialized in English at Merton College and received both B. A. and M. A. degrees.</div>
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After retirement, Johnson obtained a Ph. D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1935, and became an instructor in English at Stanford University, where he remained the rest of his life, moving through the academic ranks to a full professorship in 1949. He was one of the first to receive a Huntington Library Fellowship in 1933-35, and twice received Guggenheim Fellowships, in 1942-43 and 1949-50.</div>
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It was here in Palo Alto that I became well acquainted with Johnson and learned to appreciate the remarkable scholarly attainments of this member of the Class of ’23. He has published many books and pamphlets, too numerous to mention in this short article.</div>
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Professor Johnson’s mind was brilliant. He was possessed of that most desirable kind of genius, the genius of unremitting labor in his chosen field. He was firm but not unyielding in opinion, sagacious and searching, rather than quick and eager—qualities which made him a delightful addition to any gathering.</div>
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As a professor, he brought to his task a precision of information and a depth of research, together with many other qualities which fitted him to discharge his duties as a teacher.</div>
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During these later years, I came to know this many-sided man. He was keenly aware of the problems that are facing the nation today and it was a privilege to listen to his thoughts on these varied subjects. He was fond of the amenities of life. He was particularly interested in young people and his helpfulness to them has been many times attested.</div>
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Francis Rarick Johnson died at fifty-eight years of age. He lived a life worthy of emulation. We will miss his affectionate fellowship and kindly humor, and we will regret the departure of one of the outstanding members of our class.</div>
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“We live in thoughts, not breaths,</div>
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In deeds, not words,</div>
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We should count time by heart-throbs.</div>
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He most lives who thinks most, feels noblest, acts the best.”</div>
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—Festus: A Country Town</div>
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<em>—Art Garrecht '23</em></div>
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