Remembering Jeremy W. Johnson (1933-2007)

Former VP and Tech Director of Chase Mining and Metals Division

A Remembrance by Juan Carlos del Rosario

We received word from his wife, Anne Johnson, that Jerry passed away February 24, 2007 at the age of 73 as a result of a stroke.  The stroke was unexpected, because he had been healthy, vigorous and mentally active prior to this. He was unconscious for three days prior to his death.

Jerry was Vice President and Technical Director of the Mining and Metals Division (later known as Primary Industries) at Chase New York, a position he held for over two decades. I knew Jerry quite well because I was the Chase Mining and Metals Director for Brazil and eventually Coordinator for Latin America in the eighties. Jerry had worked for a steel company, Allegany Ludlum, for a decade prior to joining Chase. 

He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University in 1955 and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He also had a military career: From 1955 to 1957, Jerry served his country on active duty as an artillery
officer and paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. He continued serving as an active member of the United States Army Reserve, contributing 30 years of service. He retired as a colonel in 1985.

Many of those who knew Jerry and worked on projects with him marveled at his knowledge of the steel and aluminum industries globally. And combined with his knowledge of the global mining industry and spending many years covering Latin America, he was a resident expert or "mentor" to many relationship managers chasing mandates from their clients who "loved" him because he had something to contribute, given his vast knowledge. Jerry had his yellow pad ready at his client meetings and would come up with his double spaced reports, usually 20 pages long, on client and project reviews based on his site visits.

Jerry retired from Chase in 1992 and took up residence in Washington, North Carolina, where he continued to lead an active life with Anne. He loved sailing (he owned a sailboat called "Sealicious") and regularly visited with his two sons, Gregory in Seattle and Charles in Baltimore, and their respective families.

Jerry was a good friend, and he will be missed by me and many at Chase. Please remember him in your prayers.