Tribute Sought For Late Pleasantdale Teacher

BURR RIDGE, IL — Walter Johnson, a longtime teacher at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge, died last month.

His son, Ryan Johnson, a 2011 Hinsdale South High School graduate, wants to do something in his father's memory. Johnson, who recently became a certified personal trainer, is thinking about some type of event — perhaps a fitness class that he could host — to raise money for Pleasantdale.

"I've been thinking about getting something going. I'm open to all ideas," Johnson said. "I've been communicating with several of his teacher friends at Pleasantdale for some fundraiser or tribute that would help the school."

Walter Johnson, who died Dec. 10 at age 69, taught at Pleasantdale for more than three decades before retiring in 2007. The Willowbrook resident taught history and math and helped found the school's geography bee.

"That was something he was passionate about," Ryan Johnson said. "He did have an important role."

Ryan Johnson participated in football, basketball and track while he was at Hinsdale South. He said when he was in high school, he wanted to be recruited for a college sport, but lacked the understanding on how to navigate the process.

He now works for Chicago-based NCSA, which connects high school athletes to college coaches. Given his experience in high school, he said he can relate to aspiring college athletes who may not have all the tools to reach their goals.

On the side, Ryan Johnson works at F45 fitness center in Chicago's River North. He got this job now that he is a certified personal trailer.

"I know my athleticism comes from my father, and he loved coaching basketball and volleyball at Pleasantdale," Ryan Johnson said.

He said his family plans to hold a memorial service for his father in the summer. About his father's death, he said, "This is the toughest thing I've ever had to experience."