Rudin Johnson

July 29, 1926 - October 16, 2022

Rudin (Rudi) Mellin Johnson, age 96, beloved husband of Anna (Hania) and father to Rudi Karol, passed away October 16th, 2022 at home surrounded by his loved ones.

Rudi was of Austrian and Swedish ancestry. His great grandfather was Dr. Ernst Krackowizer, a leading New York surgeon, who first introduced the anesthetic effects of ether to America.

Rudi was born in Orland, CA, but was raised in Santa Cruz, CA where he completed his schooling at age 17 before heading north to UC Berkeley for his undergraduate degree. Due to World War II he paused his education to enlist in the Army Air Corp. Shortly after completing basic training, the War ended and he returned to his engineering studies with an honorable discharge. In 1950 he earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley. After graduation, he began his career at the Berkeley Lawrence Lab where he worked on the “electron synchrotron,” one of the first cyclotrons in the country. In 1976 he was part of the team that set up an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute Museum named “Atom Smashers: 50 years”. He remained at “The Lab” for over forty years until his retirement.

Rudi was a “confirmed” bachelor. However, to everyones surprise in his 59th year (1986) he married Anna Lewicka, from Poland. One year later their son, Rudin Karol was born. He was a wonderful Dad, always present and involved in all of his son’s activities- from chaperoning field trips, to driving him to his favorite bike trails. He constantly shared his love of reading, science, and the outdoors with him.

Outside of his work at the Lab and at home, Rudi enjoyed hiking and camping with his friends, skiing, folk dancing, traveling to Europe and performances at the SF Symphony and Opera. Always curious and the explorer he regularly attended astronomy meetings at Chabot Space and Science Center. His love for wild California land, drove him to purchase a recently logged property in the Napa mountains. He spent many weekends there planting native trees and plants, and it is now part of the Napa Valley Land Trust.

Rudi is survived by his sister Judith and her husband Dennis O’Brien, his wife of 36 years Anna, his son Rudi Karol, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Sally Mark, brother Herman Krusi, brother Ernst and sister in law Liz Johnson.

We miss him terribly but he will forever remain in our hearts and memories.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Berkeley on November 10, 2022 at 1PM.

In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to Chabot Space and Science Center will be appreciated.