Johnson, H. P. (Howard P.)

Howard Paul Johnson was born to Gust and Ruth Johnson on January 27, 1923, in Odebolt, Iowa. Dr. Johnson received his B.S. (1949) and M.S. (1950) in agricultural engineering and Ph.D. (1959) in agricultural and civil engineering from Iowa State University. He also earned an M.S. (1954) in engineering mechanics from the University of Iowa.

During his graduate studies, Dr. Johnson worked at Iowa State as a part-time Lab Instructor (1949-1950), Research Associate (1950-1953), and Instructor (1954-1959) in the Department of Agricultural (and Biosystems) Engineering. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he joined the faculty of Iowa State as an Assistant Professor (1959) in the same department. He was promoted to Associate Professor (1960-1962) and Professor (1960-1988) and also served as Department Head (1981-1988). He retired in 1988.

Dr. Johnson's main research and teaching interests were in the effect agricultural practices had on land and water resources. He authored or co-authored over 100 published articles on hydrology, hydraulics, drainage, watershed management, and related topics. He also wrote Agricultural Engineering Century: Iowa State University (call no. S678.53.U6 J46x 2005), a history of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University.

He was a member of several scientific and professional societies and the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Johnson was elected fellow of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He received several awards from ASAE including the Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award (1978) and the John Deere Gold Medal (1994). Iowa State named him an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor of Engineering in 1986. Dr. Johnson also served on numerous college and departmental committees while at Iowa State including the University Water Resources Committee, the Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute Council, and the ISU text review committee.

Howard Johnson married Patricia Larsen of Ames and together they had three children: Cynthia, Lynette, and Malcolm. As of 2006, the Johnsons reside in Ames, Iowa.