Glenn L. Johnston, 89

Glenn L. Johnston, M.D., passed away on Feb. 9, 2016, in Kalispell. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Hazel; son and daughter-in-law Mark and Joan Johnston of Salt Lake City; granddaughter Katie Johnston of Fremont, California; and sister Marjorie Johnston Hunt of Bozeman. 

His daughter, Susan, preceded him in death.

Glenn grew up in the Flathead Valley, the son of Glenn and Harriet Johnston and the grandson of pioneer Leroy Johnston who homesteaded on the Flathead River in the 1880’s. Glenn attended Flathead High School and worked on the family grain farm outside of Kalispell. He entered military service upon graduation from high school serving in Korea and becoming writer, editor and cartoonist for a military newspaper. He returned to Montana after his service and enrolled at Montana State University in 1947.

Glenn was a gifted student at MSU and was elected to Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. In addition to his academic pursuits, Glenn was active in campus activities and lettered as a high hurdler for the MSU Track Team. Glenn married fellow MSU graduate Hazel Hardie in 1952. He was admitted to the University of Utah College of Medicine in 1954 and was the first Montana resident to receive the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Scholarship to Medical School. 

Hazel and Glenn moved to Salt Lake City with their 5-month-old son Mark in 1954. Glenn completed medical school, joined the faculty and rose to the rank of clinical professor at the University of Utah College of Medicine. He was elected president of the Utah Psychiatric Association and was an early contributor to the community mental health system in Utah. Known for his excellent teaching and kindness to patients he received the Norman S. Anderson Award for distinguished service to community mental health in 1995, the highest honor given in the State of Utah for a mental health professional.

Glenn never lost his love for Montana or commitment to preserving the family heritage on the land. Glenn retired after 40 years of service as a physician and returned to the Flathead. He built a home on the property homesteaded by his grandfather. He worked with the state forester to protect over 400 acres of timberland on the property and improve the conditions for wildlife. Glenn and Hazel, with the consultation of the younger generation, made the decision to give up all development potential on the land, establishing a conservation easement to protect the forestland and maintain the remarkable and important wildlife habitat along the Flathead River corridor.

Based on his long service as a physician and continuing important contributions to the Flathead region and state of Montana, Glenn received the 2008 Montana State University Blue and Gold Award, the highest honor given to an MSU alumnus. He also was the recipient of an Audubon Association Award for his preservation activities.

Beyond the long list of accomplishments is the legacy Glenn left as a wonderful father, grandfather, husband, brother and friend. He was a fantastic listener and lifelong learner. In so many ways his life came full circle from his early boyhood projects to helping his precious granddaughter Katie erect an osprey platform. This circle of life was truly a circle of love, embracing family and friends in a manner that will never be forgotten.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Doug Nelson, Dr. Timothy Obermiller, Dr. David Murdock, Dr. Aaron Alme and the other outstanding physicians, nurses, and medical professionals who did all possible to enable the extended service and contributions made by Glenn in the final years of his life. We are also indebted to Bruce Larson and the wonderful neighbors and friends that have provided so much support in recent months. In lieu of flowers friends might consider a contribution to the Flathead Land Trust.

A celebration of Glenn’s life will be held at noon on Saturday, Feb. 27, at All Saints Episcopal Church. The address is 2048 Conn Road, just south of Montana Highway 40, halfway between Whitefish and Columbia Falls. A reception with food will be provided after the service. There will also be a brief gravesite service at Conrad Cemetery at approximately 2:30 p.m. for those able to attend.