Robert Wilson Johns, PhD

Robert Wilson Johns, PhD


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May 27th, 2018

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  • Death Date: May 27, 2018

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Biography: Robert Wilson Johns, PhD, died of lymphoma at age 82 on May 27, 2018 in Little Rock, AR. Bob was born June 13, 1935 in Nashville, TN, to Daniel Jay Johns, MD, and Elizabeth Holt Johns White. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Daniel Jay Johns, VI. Educated in Nashville, Bob graduated from Hillsboro High in 1953 and from Vanderbilt University with a BA and a MA in Teaching in 1958. Bob taught at Indian Springs School in Alabama from 1958 to 1967, thereafter earning his PhD at Stanford University in 1974. His impressive doctoral dissertation examined the art of teaching history through biographies. Bob continued his formal career as a professor of education at UALR, where he retired Emeritus in 2001. The depth of Bob?s intellect and the broad scope of his knowledge were remarkable. The solidness of his reasoning abilities and the durability of his convictions and views were a challenge to anyone willing to debate him. Throughout his lifetime, he was active in organizations dedicated to the art and science of teaching, as well as those concerned with equity and justice for all people. Thus, Bob earned the respect and devotion of his many friends, including education colleagues and the legions of students he inspired. Fiercely proud of his Welsh heritage, Bob annually visited Wales and enjoyed concerts in London. A skilled tennis player and ardent fan, he attended the Wimbledon tournaments every summer for 27 years. An accomplished singer with perfect pitch, Bob sang with the renowned Robert Shaw Chorale and many other choral groups. As a gifted pianist, he played his Steinway for the enjoyment of many, as his knowledge of the classics was matched by his unerring ability to beautifully play any music by ear. Bob?s family extends sincere gratitude for the loving pastoral care of the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral clergy and staff, along with the many spirit-lifting ministries of church members who generously supported and encouraged Bob in so many thoughtful ways. Bob was blessed with steadfast friends who loved him and cared for him with devotion to his wellbeing. We are deeply thankful for Dr. Grace Raja and her staff, whose wise, skillful care consistently cheered Bob and fortified his strength. CARTI?s staff members were unfailingly kind and gentle; we are forever grateful to them. All are welcome to attend Bob?s funeral service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W 17th in Little Rock, Monday, June 4 at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow at the church.

Condolences(09)
KennethJohns Utley
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My condolence to the family.
Frank Samford
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Mr. Johns taught me what we called Basic Studies during his first and my first year at Indian Springs School. He also coached me on the tennis team and sang with us in the Glee Club. Later on, of course, I knew him as Bob during his many visits to the school. It was remarkable to me that after his stroke he kept up the travel and his fierce interest in social justice. He will be missed.
Sam Nickol
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I only knewBob for a few months at Fox Ridge assisted living
He gave many wonderful lectures at the dinning room table!
I will miss him very much. I hope there will be another memorial service at Fox Ridge

Sam Nickol
Angela Sewall
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was sorry to learn of the death of Dr. Johns, He was a fine educator and he made an impact on the lives of many in the educational field. Bob was a remarkable colleague and a significant contributor to the UALR campus. My condolences to his family and friends,
Jim Guldin
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My condolences to Robert?s family and friends, may he rest in peace and rise in glory! He was a groomsman in Melissa?s and my wedding at the Cathedral in 1987. I regret that I had not seen Robert in a decade, but from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s we stood side by side in the bass section of the Arkansas Chamber Singers, under the baton of Dr Rosella Duerksen. I enjoyed his stories about singing with the Robert Shaw Chorale and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, but I know how much he loved the Chamber Singers. Standing next to Bob was an advanced lesson in choral musicianship. He was keenly attuned to enunciation and especially rhythm. He said that under Shaw, the first rehearsals of a new work in Atlanta never even played a note, but were spent mastering the pronunciation and enunciation of the text, and the pulse of rhythm and syncopation of the work. That?s a lesson for all choral musicians to remember. He did not brag about his perfect pitch, and he acknowledged that his intonation was on occasion a challenge when the choral intonation might wander a bit. He thought his sense of intonation was nothing more than a very sharp memory cultivated by his early exposure to music. He was a fine friend and colleague, and I am sorry to learn of his passing. Play the Mozart Requiem in his honour when you get a chance to do so.
Jeanette Hamilton
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My sincere condolences to the family of Bob Johns. I became acquainted with Bob at monthly meetings of our local amateur musicians group and looked forward to his scholarly lessons on the classical composers along with beautiful renditions of those composers? works at the piano. He will certainly be missed by those of us lucky enough to have known and spent time with him.
Mel Fuller
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Bob was a colleague of mine for many years at UALR, and I was greatly saddened with the news of his passing. He was a great professor in secondary education and a leader in our department. I always enjoyed his stories of his trips to England for the tennis tournament each summer.

Dr. Mel Fuller
Nancy Griffin
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
It was my pleasure to get to know Bob. We both belonged to the same musical group called AML Where he regaled us with stories about his life as well as the life of composers. He will be greatly missed.
Sally Martens
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Bob was a tremendous asset to our music group, Amateur Musician's League, which met in members' homes once a month. Bob's contribution was the "Who Am I" game he played by having us guess whose music he was playing. It was always a famous composer who had either been born or died that month. He always had a ready smile. We will miss him.

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