Remembrances of
Herman Frithjof Johnson
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Memories of Herman

Ellen Johnson
(Naperville, IL)
Johnson@cdnet.cod.edu


I don’t have pictures to send because I always sent them to Herman and Helen, but I have a few memories.

One time in the last few years, when we could still dance at Argonne, Helen brought Herman to a folkdance party. He was in his wheelchair. He got to dance, though, as Kathy Bonvallet pushed him in the wheelchair through the steps of the dance. I think the dance was Hole in the Wall. I also remember Herman dancing with his Helen (perhaps it was Allemagne Francaise or a similar dance), even though he used two canes to do so.

Herman always said that the best thing he ever did in his life was propose to Helen. He was very much amused that my name – Ellen Johnson – was so similar to Helen’s, Helen Johnson.

I remember wonderful times dancing at Herman’s country place in Indiana. Such a great springy floor! I often drove down there with Bob Kuller for Herman’s parties. Herman would have cooked so many wonderful things! He was quite a baker, too, with many varieties of pies and cakes and cookies. When I was there, I always made a trip down along his old tire path to the river, looking at all the beautiful scenes, some of which had a chair, so one could be comfortable while looking at the beauty of nature.

Once I brought David Rothert, a folkdancer from Ohio, to one of Herman’s dance parties in Indiana. David knows all about plumbing and heating and suchlike, as he makes his living fixing up old buildings. He was most amazed at Herman’s plumbing under the bathroom! (It reminded me of the Waterworks game.) Herman always proudly pointed out the pictures on the wall showing Helen featured (and Herman with her) at a YWCA conference or event.

I am so glad I got to know Herman and Helen, even a little bit!

Ellen Johnson

(Naperville, IL)
Johnson@cdnet.cod.edu

 


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