Fun on the links set for Sept. 21
tourney
Seven miles and nearly 50 years
separate Dean and Rosemary Johnson from UNO.
The distance is calculated from
Champions Run golf course, where the Johnsons live and frequent. The time is
measured from their final days as students—Rosemary graduated from the College
of Education in 1957, Dean from the same college in 1959.
In September, time and place
will unite, as will the Johnsons' love of golf and their alma mater. The couple
on Sept. 21 sponsors a hole at the College of Education's "Building a Legacy of
Excellence" Golf Outing at Tiburon Golf Course.
The tournament is a first-ever,
one-time-only event to support COE's "Building a Legacy of Excellence"
Campaign.
While one of the purposes of the
event is to raise financial support for college activities, the outing also
will afford those with a connection to the college an opportunity to be with
friends, to renew acquaintances from years past, and to meet others with a
common interest in the college.
All while having fun on the
links.
Teachers first
The Johnsons' journey from
then-Omaha University to Champions Run began as teachers in the Omaha Public
Schools. Rosemary began teaching at Benson West Elementary School during the
1957-58 school year. After beginning their family she continued as a substitute
teacher for 14 years.
Dean began teaching in 1959 as a
traveling physical education teacher. After his first year he was assigned as a
shop and physical education teacher to Highland School, which served
K-through-8 students. He also was the track and flag football coach.
In 1961 he was called by
then-Superintendent Harry A. Burke and advised to begin his work toward an
advanced degree in educational administration. Johnson immediately was assigned
assistant principal at Technical Junior High School. In 1964 he earned his
master of education degree.
Dean was assistant principal at
Tech Junior from 1961 through 1967. He recalls the first year as especially
challenging—the principal suffered a heart attack shortly after the beginning
of the school year and didn't return until later in the spring. Johnson was
left in charge of the school, and he gained considerable respect for the many
outstanding teachers on the staff.
Dean's assignment to Technical
Junior High brought him back to familiar territory. As a student and graduate
of Technical High School he had played on a championship baseball team that included
future Major Leaguer and Hall-of-Famer Bob Gibson. Dean himself would play
professionally, spending two years with a farm team for the St. Louis
Cardinals.
Still on the move
In 1968 Dean left education, joining Sam Marvin to develop
a group operating Arby's restaurants. Today the Johnsons own DRM Incorporated
with 64 Arby's stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. Sons Marc and
Matt own and manage the company.
Family is and has been an
important part of the Johnson's life. They have four children—Mike, Marc, Matt
and Melissa—and eight grandchildren, whose sporting events keep Dean and
Rosemary on the move. In May they traveled to watch their oldest granddaughter
compete in the NCAA national golf tournament as a member of the Texas A&M golf
team.
Daughter Melissa "Missy" Orlando
has continued the Johnson legacy with the College of Education. Currently
principal at Rose Hill Elementary School, Missy received her master's degree
from the college in 1997. She taught at Miller Park and Hartman schools for 10
years and has been the principal at Rose Hill for seven years.
Dean, meanwhile, has returned to
education in his partial retirement. He currently serves as a mentor to one
student at Rose Hill School and has mentored other students as well.
Both of the Johnsons enjoy their
time on the fairways of Champions Run. They also enjoy traveling, most recently
to Russia. In 2005 they traveled to Africa.
On September 21 the Johnsons
will travel to Tiburon Golf Course. Those interested in joining Dean, Rosemary
and many other alumni and friends can get registration information for the
tourney through the college website http://coe.unomaha.edu/excellence or by
sending an email to jsorrels@mail.unomaha.edu. The 4-person scramble begins
with a noon shotgun start.
Happenings schedule
College of Education alumni can read more about fellow
alumni, faculty and current students in Happenings, mailed in late June.
