Barranco Obituary: Albert M. Johnston

All information is courtesy of Barranco & Sons Funeral Home.

Albert M. Johnston, community activist, died Nov. 10, 2012. A long time resident of Severna Park, MD, he grew up in Lincoln, NE, and graduated from the University of Nebraska with both a BSEE and AB. He completed his graduate studies with a JD from the Harvard Law School. He served in World War II from 1943-1946 where he was commissioned in the US Army Signal Corps and the Korean Incident from 1951-1953 with the Army Security Agency.

Associated with Father’s Law Practice in Lincoln, NE, he retained membership in the Nebraska Bar Association. He was a Patent Examiner, US Patent Office and following Korean service joined the Westinghouse Electric Corporation with assignments as Director, Technical Recruitment for the Bettis Atomic Power Division and appointments in the Baltimore Divisions in Compensation, Employment and Labor Relations. He later became Director, Personnel/Industrial Relations for ITT Electro-Physics Laboratories, the Walworth Company, the Roper Eastern Group, Kleinert’s Inc. and LeRoy Industries. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Brierwood Shoe Corporation.

In addition to developing and presenting industrial training programs, also served as an adjunct member of the faculty at Tufts University, the State University of New York at Brockport and Towson University.

Active in professional affairs, he served as President of the Washington (DC) Personnel Association and as the Washington Representative for the American Society for Personnel Administration as well as a Director in local Chapters. Other affiliations included Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and local Chambers of Commerce where he was active in employment, education and legislative affairs.

He served three terms as President of the Greater Severna Park Council and also as President of the Ben Oaks Civic Association and the Severna Forest Community Association. Significant contributions to county legislation were made to both the 1967 and 1997 Anne Arundel General Development Plans, the 1998 Severna Park Small Area Plan, the 1992 Councilmanic Redistricting, the 1973 Comprehensive Rezoning and several Bills for Woodwise, the Severna Park Elderly Housing Corporation where he served as Corporate Secretary. He was also a President and Legislative Member of Maryland AARP chapter.

He was a member of Lincoln Lodge #19 AF & AM and the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He served as a Deacon & Ruling Elder, Presbyterian Church, USA, with local memberships in Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park, MD, Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY, First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, PA and Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty L. Johnston, who died in 2003.

He is survived by his sons, David Johnston, Laurel, MD, Roger Johnston, Severna Park, MD and Eric Johnston, Ellicott City, MD, a brother, James Johnston, in Ogden, UT and a sister, Elizabeth Jones, in Minneapolis, MN.

A Memorial Service will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15. Interment will be in the Columbarium at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church or Woodwise (c/o Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church) 611 B&A Blvd., Severna Park. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com