MADISON - Carl Johnson, age 73, of Madison, passed away on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at home. He was born on May 7, 1948, in Joliet, Ill., the son of Robert and Helen (Peterson) Johnson.

Carl graduated from Joliet High School in 1966. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago in 1970 and his Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology in 1974.

Carl enjoyed a more than 50 years career as a scientist. His passion for Neurobiology took him all over the world. After retirement he continued to serve as a science consultant for an animal welfare foundation. In his free time, Carl enjoyed vegetable gardening and sharing his harvests, producing multiple dozens of quarts of tomato sauce every year. He was an avid walker, often accompanied by one of his Cattle Dogs, and very proud to have logged 10 million steps on his pedometer in the past two years. He doted on his two grandchildren, sharing photos and videos of them at every opportunity.

Carl is survived by his second wife, Susan Curtis; sons, Orin (Bianca) Johnson and Colin (Erin) Johnson; step-daughter, Leah Jeedas; grandchildren, Joseph Caleb Johnson and Kaitlyn Rose Johnson; brothers, Kent (Marissa) Johnson, Theodore (Amy) Johnson and Glen (Deborah) Johnson; sister, Ellen (Timothy) Caspar-Johnson; aunt, Betty Neiswender; nieces, Emily, Hannah, Rebecca and Samantha; and nephews, Benjamin, Christopher, Daniel, Michael and Wylie. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Keith; and his first wife, Carole (Gross) Johnson.

There will be no services, but a memorial celebration is planned for May 7, 2022, at his house in Black Earth, WI. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Carl Douglas Johnson

May 07, 1948 - December 13, 2021

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