Alan Johns

Alan Tutton Johns (22 May 1917 – 5 September 1997) was a New Zealand scientist, science administrator and university council member.

Early life Johns was born on 22 May 1917 in Amberley, the son of Ada Constance Johns (née Tutton) and Alexander Leo Johns. He was educated at Christ's College in Christchurch, where he was prominent in middle-distance running and later in rowing. He joined the Canterbury Rowing Club. Johns studied at Canterbury University College, from where he completed a Master of Science with first-class honours in 1939 ; he also represented the university in rowing. He won three New Zealand national rowing titles. He enlisted for war service in 1944; at the time his occupation was recorded as research chemist.

After the war, Johns studied at Christ's College and Clare College of the University of Cambridge, graduating with a PhD. While at Cambridge, he represented Clare College in rowing.

Career Johns was director of the plant chemistry division at the DSIR in Palmerston North. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1977 Birthday Honours for his role as director-general of agriculture. The same year, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. In 1977, the University of Canterbury conferred an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc). On 9 May 1985, Massey University also conferred an honorary DSc.

Family Johns got engaged to Marion Carville Jacobs in July 1942. She was from Palmerston North, the daughter of Mary and Bertram Joseph Jacobs. They married at St Andrew's Church in Palmerston North on 15 May 1943. Their first son was born on 8 July 1944 and their second son was born on 11 January 1948 in Cambridge, England. They had five sons in total.

Johns died on 5 September 1997 and he was cremated at the Karori Crematorium. His ashes were buried at Karori Cemetery half a year later in March 1998.