Dana Johnson RIP

[Chris Ghent]

With regret I note the death of Dana Johnson.  
 

Dana has been around C.net forever and contributed solid science to many of the more interesting discussions.  He leaves a great legacy in the hands of the enthusiastic owners of his instruments.  
 

He has been a good friend for more than twenty years. I always appreciated his willingness to educate this engineering illiterate.  His own engineering was at a high level, rethinking every part of making a concertina and finding a better way.  During our hundreds of phone calls he maintained a positive and humourous outlook, even through the hardest of times. 
 

Vale Dana

Edited February 6, 2025 by Chris Ghent

[John, Wexford]

OMG I am so sorry to hear this. I'm only a Johnny come lately to Concertina.net, but even I could see his massive contribution to this forum and to fellow makers and players. His loss will be keenly felt. May he Rest In Peace.

[RAc]

Oh no, how terrible. I will remember him as always helpful, very open to out-of-the-box ideas, friendly and enthusiastic.

 

I hope that his transition was not accompanied by too much pain and suffering.

 

[AndyNT]

That's really sad news. He is a great loss to our community, always so helpful.

 

I feel privileged to be the proud owner of one of the last concertinas he made.

 

RIP Dana

[Ken_Coles]

A good friend and advisor since 1998 for me. We will remember you Dana. Condolences to Becky and Lucy.

 

Ken

[Clive Thorne]

This is awful news. Seems only a few months ago that we were wishing him a long and happy retirement. Seems it was not to be. RIP Dana.

[Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh]

Very sad news, may he Rest in Peace.

[Alex West]

Sudden and sad.  He leaves a tremendous legacy in the instruments he made and the generosity with which he posted his learnings here

 

Alex West

[Oberon]

I know he implied that things were serious with his health, but I'd hoped he would be around for many years to come. 

 

He was an incredible guy, and innovator and incredibly friendly and helpful. Not to mention, one of very few American concertina makers. The world is poorer for his loss

[CaryK]

Attended on of Noel Hill's classes with Dana a number of years ago and I've been privileged to own and play one of his concertinas.  He was a wonderful guy and willing to offer advice when asked, on playing and concertinas in general.  My sympathies to his family for their loss.

[Dimble]

I can also attest to his generosity, as he spent hours talking with me on the phone when I called him on the phone and he didn't know me at all. He answered all my questions for no other reason than that I called. He will be missed. 

[Joe G.]

I'm the third owner of a really nice Kensington concertina. Dana switched-out two reeds for me to make it match the Jeffries I've played (not especially brilliantly) since the mid-1980s, and he refused my offer to pay for the work, asking only that I cover the cost of postage. I feel privileged to have had that much personal contact with him—and to be able to enjoy one of the products of his considerable skill and dedication.

[d.elliott]

A loss to our community.

[Wally Carroll]

Just saw this. Very sad. I met Dana back in 1998 or 99 at my first Noel Hill workshop. He had an early version of his instrument and I was blown away that he had made it all himself.
He was certainly an early inspiration for me but he was also a kind gentleman who will be sorely missed. 

[Chris Ghent]

Well said Wally…

[LR71]

I only found out about Dana's passing on Thursday, at a session with a friend I hadn't seen in some time - I don't check in here much, and missed this announcement.

 

When I got home after a full night of playing music, I felt like playing another blast of music on Kensington #60.  And after a while, what do you know - a note in the right hand stopped working.  I find this quite spooky - it never gives me much of any trouble, at all.

 

Problem was just a fleck of junk that got lodged under the tongue.

 

RIP Dana. 

[Tom Rhoads]

So sorry to hear of Dana's passing.

 

Kensington #30 has been my main box since 2011. Dana swapped a couple of reeds for me to put in into a straight Jeffries fingering. With prudent maintenance, I expect it to outlast me.

[pentaprism]

Oh no!

 

Busy with other things, I was absent from the forum for quite some time. I came back today and read the bad news.

 

I've never met Dana in person, but always consider him as a close friend.

 

RIP, my friend.