A Ross Johnson

A Ross Johnson, 81, of Vienna, VA passed away on February 6, 2021. Ross was born in Cincinnati, OH. After graduating from Highlands High School, Fort Thomas, KY he earned degrees at Stanford University, the Fletcher School, and Columbia University. His Stanford Study Abroad experience changed his passion from engineering to foreign affairs. He worked as a research fellow at the Rand Corporation, as a research fellow and later Director at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and as research fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Wilson Center. His numerous publications include the book "Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty: The CIA Years and Beyond." Ross was a keen traveler, a polyglot who spoke German and Serbian fluently, an expert in Balkan history and politics, and a tireless advocate for democratic institutions and a free press in Eastern Europe. In recent years he helped create the Hoover Institution Archives of RFE/RL legacy broadcast recordings and documents. Ross received the Laurel Award from the prime minister of Poland in 2001 and a citation for Meritorious Service to Polish Culture from the Polish minister of culture in 1996. In his leisure time, Ross enjoyed cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing, and travel. He is predeceased by his daughter Maria and survived by his wife Diana, children Karin & Eric, and brother Reid. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the

Capital Area Food Bank or the Stanford University Bing Overseas Studies Program