Remembering Bryan Johnston

The Board and staff of the Oregon Environmental Council were deeply saddened by the loss of recent Board President Bryan Johnston, 59, who died unexpectedly in his sleep on June 7.

Bryan Johnston joined the OEC Board of Directors in 2003 and brought his extensive experience, his great intellect, wit, and outstanding leadership to the cause of Oregon’s environment. As a former State Legislator, Bryan’s experience played an important role in OEC’s increased effectiveness and visibility at the Oregon Legislature. He helped shape OEC’s new focus on transportation issues, and he was instrumental in creating a new, higher vision of OEC and its role in shaping Oregon’s future.

Bryan had a knack for getting to the heart of a matter. Current OEC Board President Cheryl Koshuta remembers, “On big issues, Bryan would let everyone else have their say and then would cut through all the rhetoric with a solution that was clear and met everyone's needs. He had an uncanny ability to summarize a situation with a quick quip and a twinkle in his eye.”

He will be greatly missed, and OEC extends its utmost support and sympathy to his wife Anne and their four children.