Died in Doylestown PA, June 19, 2016.
Born in Tumut, N.S.W. Australia he was educated at Canberra Grammar, Newington College and The University of Sydney.
He earned a scholarship to the University of Chicago which prepared him for an illustrious career as CEO of Entenmanns Inc., Gerber Products Company and Campbell Soup Company.
His career began at Colgate Palmolive Company in Sydney as a management trainee, then transferred to South Africa.
He joined Warner Lambert Company in Hong Kong and came to the U.S. when the Company moved its international Headquarters.
He became CEO of Entenmanns in Bay Shore, N.Y. and expanded the Company nationally.
From there he moved as CEO to Gerber Products Company and his final position was as CEO of Campbell Soup Company.
He believed in Capitalism, American Exceptionalism and personal responsibility.
He was known for his motivational enthusiasm. His mandate for professional accountability earned him the nickname “Quantification Johnson”.
Although he received many accolades, scholastically and in business, he was proudest of the award for “Director of the Year” because it was awarded by his peers.
In his retirement years he travelled extensively and visited both the North and South Poles.
After residing for 15 years in Philadelphia he moved to Solebury, PA.
He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Australia.
He is survived by his wife and three sons.
His epitaph reads:
“David Willis Johnson
1932 – 2016
Gone to Glory.
Called by his Maker”