Joe Johnson, past president of SFPE, passed away on June 5.  He was 92. 

Johnson graduated from Oregon State College with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, and began his career in 1934 with the Texas Automatic Sprinkler Company in Dallas.  He later served as president and chairman of the board of Viking Fire Protection Company, and subsequently as president of the Pyrotronics Division of Baker Industries.  Johnson, along with Frank Gage, founded U.S. Fire Protection Engineering Service, Inc., which was later renamed Gage-Babcock & Associates.

During his career, Johnson proposed the first use of hydraulic calculations for regular sprinkler systems, and he patented the first on/off sprinkler. He also pioneered the development of early warning smoke detection equipment.  

His contributions to the profession were equally impressive.  Johnson was the president of SFPE in 1967, when he proposed establishing the Society of Fire Protection Engineers as an independent organization. At that time, SFPE was a section of the National Fire Protection Association.

In his presidential address at the 1967 Annual Meeting, Johnson stated: “The Society was created by NFPA as a Section.  As such, SFPE members must be Associate Members of NFPA or designated representatives of Organization Members.  At no time in the 16 years of the Society’s existence has NFPA attempted to influence its internal affairs.  For all intents and purposes, we have been completely autonomous.  NFPA has continued to offer its support and encouragement, both financial and otherwise, and the society has grown and prospered and has achieved status and success as a technical society.  However, it is my opinion, that in order to achieve our maximum potential the time has now arrived for a change in our relationship with NFPA.”

Johnson is survived by Mildred Barker Johnson, his wife of 58 years, a son, three daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.