Dean Emeritus Harold R. Johnson passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025 at the age of 99. We are deeply saddened and profoundly grateful for his extraordinary life and lasting contributions to the School and the field of social work.
In 1969, he joined the School of Social Work after holding leadership positions in a variety of public and voluntary social welfare agencies. He was also professor of health behavior and health education in the School of Public Health. He gave leadership to the community practice curriculum at the school, and from 1975 to 1981 he was the director of the Institute of Gerontology. He served as dean of the School from 1981-1993, and was the first African American to serve as dean at U-M. He served in leadership roles including interim secretary, for the university before retiring in 1985. His vision and wise counsel led to important changes within the School of Social Work as well as U-M for meeting the challenges of the future.
Johnson has a distinguished record of scholarship and publications on gerontological, organizational, and human services issues and has consulted broadly on these matters. His impressive record of national and state service includes leadership roles with the White House Conference on Aging, chair of the National Institute of Mental Health Review Panel for Geriatric Mental Health Training Grants, and consultant to the National Institute of Mental Health/National Institute on Aging on the enhancement of geriatric training. He was a principal investigator for a number of research and training grants dealing with issues involving aging, the elderly, and minorities, and was named a Gerontological Society of America Fellow in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of aging.
One of the university’s highest honors was named in his honor: The Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award recognizes faculty whose service goes above and beyond their regular duties and contributes to the development of a culturally and ethically diverse campus community.
Johnson is remembered for bringing life, leadership, and compassion to everything he did. Later this year, Trina Shanks will be inaugurated as the Harold R. Johnson Professor of Social Work, joining Professor Robert Taylor who was named the first Harold R. Johnson Endowed Professor of Social Work in 2008. These endowed professorships ensure that Johnson’s vision and dedicated stewardship of the School and profession live on through the work of the faculty.
“For those who knew Harold, you will remember his warmth, kindness, and unwavering grace,” said School of Social Work Dean Beth Angell. “When I met with him this summer, he shared thoughtful guidance and vivid stories from his years as an administrator. Across conversations with faculty who worked with him as dean and alumni from around the country, it’s clear that his leadership and mentorship left an enduring mark on generations of social workers.”
Read more about Harold R. Johnson and his impact:
Detroit News
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
The University Record
Windsor Star
Obituary
Celebration of Life
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 3:30-5 PM
School of Social Work Building, ECC (Room 1840)
1080 South University Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
RSVP
