Eugene Carlyle Johnson, Ph.D.

Santa Barbara lost an esteemed member of the community on May 30 with the passing of Eugene Carlyle Johnsen, Ph.D., retired UCSB professor of math and science.

A respected member of several professional organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the American Mathematical Society and the American Sociological Association, Dr. Johnsen contributed extensively to academic journals and served on the editorial board of the Mathematical Society.

He was born in Minneapolis, MN, to Bernhard and Ester Johnsen and was deeply influenced by his parents’ values of precision, responsibility, and character. Dr. Johnsen graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949.

After earning an Engineering degree and a Master’s in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, he went on to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics from Ohio State University. He played in the marching band in University of Minnesota and continued in the alumni band until he was in his late 80s. Dr. Johnsen married Marjorie Wacklin in 1957.

He worked as a research associate at the National Bureau of Standards from 1962-1963 in Washington DC. Eugene and Marjorie moved to Santa Barbara in 1963, where he taught mathematics at UCSB for 31 years.

Dr. Johnsen was a key figure in the field of mathematical sociology and co-authored the award-winning book Social Influence Network Theory. He was one of the early organizers of the International Sunbelt Social Network Conferences which provides an interdisciplinary venue for social scientists, mathematicians and computer scientists to study social relations and social structure.

Even after his retirement, Dr.Johnsen continued his academic work at UCSB and helped organize the International Sunbelt Social Network Conferences. He is also listed with awards in Marquis Who’s Who.

Dr. Johnsen was actively involved with the Sons-of-Norway including serving as president of the Ivar Aasen Lodge from 1999-2001 and 2003-2006 in Santa Barbara. He was also involved with the American-Scandinavian Association.

After the death of his wife Marjorie in 2011, Dr. Johnsen found new happiness and new potential to love with Wanda Magee, whom he met in 2012 and married in 2013. Together, they enjoyed nature walks along Santa Barbara beaches, UCSB campus and

Botanical Gardens and traveled and participated in local and international science conferences and the Minnesota State Fair.

He embraced Wanda’s family as his own, including her daughter Emilka, son-in-law Paul, and their two daughters. Eugene passed away at the age of 92 in Cottage Hospital in the arms of his beloved wife Wanda.

Dr. Johnsen is survived by Wanda, her family, his neighbors and his many colleagues, students, and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be arranged.

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