Edwin Leander Johnson

December 5, 1935 - May 27, 2016

Edwin Leander Johnson, 80, transitioned peacefully Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the home of his daughter and family in Culpeper VA. Born on December 5, 1935 in Hartford CT, Edwin was an only child to the late Elizabeth Poppel and Edwin Clifford Johnson. Preferred to be called "Ed", he graduated from New Britain Senior High School in 1953 and attended Yale University where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in 1957. Later, he obtained a Master of Science in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Economics from Harvard University in 1962 and 1964, respectively. Ed served as a commissioned officer Army in the Commission Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education and Welfare 1958-61. He joined the Department of Interior as a federal employee in the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration and thereafter, became the Director of Water in the Federal Water Quality Administration. Soon after the formation of the Office of Pesticide Programs within the newly-established U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ed elevated from Director of the Registration Division to become the first Office Director for the Office of Pesticide Programs. Before retiring from federal government service, Ed worked as part of the management team for the Office of International Activities. And, not very long afterwards, he became a consultant for Technology Sciences Group where he later was President until his departure in 2010. When not traveling the globe, Ed enjoyed leisure time sailing in his boat at his Maryland residence and taking in cultural and social activities of Washington DC life where he also resided. He loved his family and enjoyed the friendships that he had cultivated thru the years. Ed is survived by his daughter Dee Joseph Diesman of Culpeper; four grandchildren: Krystal Jorge Vasquez of Jacksonville, NC, Justin Ruger of Culpeper, Hunter Stone of Virginia Beach, VA, and Michael Moore of Culpeper; one great-grandson: Charlie Bolanos of Jacksonville, NC and his best friend Harold Helen Burkhardt, several cousins, and dear friends. Funeral services will be held Friday 11 AM at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain CT followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. Calling hours are Friday morning from 10 to 11 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Lutheran Church, 77 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051. Please share a memory or note of sympathy by clicking on "Send Condolences" at the bottom of this page. A Celebration of Life for Ed is also planned in Arlington, VA at a later date.