Theodore Johnston

Theodore Leigh Johnston, born April 5, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois, died December 19, 201, in Loveland, Colorado. He grew up in Ames, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1943 as a chemical engineer. He was a proud member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He worked for the Hercules Chemical Corp. in Hopewell, VA. In 1945, he returned to Iowa State for a degree in Zoology and then entered the University of Chicago School of Medicine in 1946. While he was there, he met Barbara Ruby, who was teaching dietetics. He repeatedly said, "When she gave me an A, I decided to marry her". He received his MD in 1950. He spent the next five years in Iowa City, Iowa, in Internship and Ophthalmology residency. He and Barbara were married in 1951. Upon completion of medical training, he entered the U.S. Air Force, and he and Barbara were transferred to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1955. They enjoyed Cheyenne, and after his discharge in 1957, they stayed in the community. He joined Dr. Robert Stump in the practice of ophthalmology in 1957, and later practiced at Cheyenne Eye Clinic and the Johnston Eye Clinic, retiring in 1994. In addition to the practice of ophthalmology, he and Barbara enjoyed musical theater and participated in various singing and musical groups such as "The Small Group", SACSOC, and Cheyenne Little Theater Players. He became a familiar figure on stage, performing lead roles in Man of La Mancha, the Mikado, Kiss Me Kate, Pirates of Penzance, and others. He also enjoyed playing organ and piano. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Cheyenne. He was an avid collector of Western and Indian jewelry. His children inherited his love of medicine and of music. He was predeceased by Barbara and by his parents, Dr. Harry L. and Vera Calhoun Johnston. Vera lived to be 114 and was at one time the oldest person in the United States. He is survived by his children, Dr. Randolph L. Johnston (Patty) of Cheyenne; Dr. Patty Johnston McNussen (Jon McNussen) of Champaign, IL; and Dr. P. Scott Johnston (Ann Yanagi) of Fort Collins, CO. He is also survived by three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A memory service will be celebrated on Monday, December 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Cremation is under the direction of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cheyenne Little Theater Players.

Service

Monday, December 28, 2015 10:00am

First Presbyterian Church

220 W. 22nd St,.

CHEYENNE, WY 82001