Remembering Retired Photo Chair, Academic Senate President Rob Johnson
Rob Johnson, as photographed for a Spotlight feature in @Cyperss
Retired photography faculty Rob Johnson — an alum and a 31-year Cypress College employee whose work appears in the Guinness Book of World Records — passed away last month.
Johnson served as Academic Senate President in 2009 and 2010, was chair of the photo department, and helped launch the Legacy Project, a group of six photographers documenting the changes at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station as the base closed. His collaborators were Cypress College faculty and included the late Jerry Burchfield and adjunct faculty Jacques Garnier, Douglas McCulloh, Mark Chamberlain, and Clayton Spada.
Together, they created “The Great Picture” — a pinhole photograph that stands three stories high and eleven stories wide. Not only is the image a Guinness Book record-holder, it has been exhibited across the globe, including at Irvine’s Great Park (where it was created), China, and in the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum in Virginia.
From the time he was young, Johnson was destined to become a dentist, following in the footsteps of his father.
A photography course taught by Cypress College alumnus John Sexton lit a fire for Johnson and changed his trajectory.
Having already completed his bachelor’s degree in biology, Johnson pivoted. Through Sexton, Johnson earned his way to work as a darkroom assistant to legendary photographer Ansel Adams. Johnson took additional photography classes at Cypress College and earned Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Art and Photography at California State University, Fullerton.
Cypress College held its 43rd Commencement on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 in Gateway Plaza.
In 1984, he became an adjunct instructor at Cypress College and earned a full-time position in 1986. At his 2017 retirement recognition at the NOCCCD Board of Trustees meeting, Johnson shared his love for Cypress College.
“I spent 31 years at Cypress College. I don’t think people stay 31 years at one place just because it’s a job. They stay there because they find some significant meaning to their life there. I am just so grateful for all the people that have met and gotten to know here in the District.”
In a 2011 interview, Johnson shared, “I am very proud of being a teacher and being able to talk about what I love. The beginning classes are my favorite because you can help get someone excited about photography.”
Along with photography, Johnson enjoyed music, and composed pieces for his wife, Ana Luisa Johnson, who is a dancer and choreographer. He is survived by his wife and son Joshua.
An on-campus memorial is being planned for this fall.