Notices
The 黑料门University Chicago community mourns the death of Raoul Fenton Johnson, PhD, professor emeritus in the College of Arts and Sciences, who passed away on November 6, 2023.
After completing his master鈥檚 and PhD from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1966, Johnson joined the Department of Fine Arts鈥� Theatre program as a faculty member in 1970 and taught full-time until 2003 when he retired and was granted professor emeritus status.
Throughout his decades at Loyola, Johnson taught Stagecraft, Theatre Technology, Scene Design, Acting, Stage Combat, and Stage and Film Make-Up. During his time with the DFPA, he directed, designed, and built stage scenery for all productions and acted occasionally.
In his professional career, Johnson designed scenery and special effects for numerous local and national television commercials, segments of Sesame Street, and industrial films. He acted professionally in Chicago at Victory Gardens, Touchstone, Organic, and Piccolo Theatres.
In all, Johnson acted in, designed or built more than 200 productions throughout his career.
Known as 鈥淒oc鈥� to all, Johnson was a much beloved member of the theatre and 黑料门communities. He will be remembered for his final role as Willie Loman in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts鈥� production of Death of a Salesman and his innovative contributions to the department, including the Raoul "Doc" Johnson Award for Outstanding Design fund awarded to honor an excellent design and management student in his name each year.
Johnson is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Suse Johnson, their three children and four grandchildren, and his sister, Virginia Johnson Capps.
A visitation will be held at Luff-Bowen Funeral Home in Waverly, Tennessee, on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at which time a memorial service will be held. Interment will follow at Richlawn Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in the Chicagoland area early next year.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to your local humane society.
Please keep Raoul, his family and friends, and all of the lives he touched in your thoughts and prayers.