Obituary of Karl Harvey Johansson
Dr. Karl Harvey Johansson, an esteemed and dedicated physician, passed away on May 23, 2023 at Oroville Hospital. Born on February 18, 1942, in Newport News, VA, to John and Myrtle Johansson, Karl was born a first-generation American citizen and the second of three children. He was preceded in death by his devouted wife Gayle, as well as his parents and siblings: his older sister Edith and younger brother Lennert (Lenny).
Karl's early life was marked with his father’s work in construction that took the family from Viginia to Utah. Karl would recall that during summers, while in 4th through 6th grade in Salt Lake City, he participated in weeklong camps, taking the bus into Salt Lake to a city youth program to experience theater, museums, sports, horseback riding, art, etc.
This youth program would have an indelible impression on Karl throughout his life.
Eventually his father’s work took them to Denver, Colorado, where Karl attended Littleton High School. An academic prodigy with a photographic memory and extraordinary mathematical skills, Karl's brilliance was evident early on. Remarkably, he lived with an eye condition that caused double vision until it was corrected later in life, revealing a world he'd never clearly seen before and a further testament to his intellect and drive to succeed.
While at Littleton High School, Karl enjoyed playing on both a state champion football and basketball team. He enjoyed participating in school plays and would be elected Student Body Vice President. While most high school students took five graded courses in 1957, Karl’s love of knowledge drove him to take 6 that year.
While at the University of Colorado, he was torn between studying to go into construction with his father or medical school. His summers were spent working on construction projects with his father and he would fondly recall those memories of working in remote locations with his dad. One of those places was the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park. This spot would forever hold a special place in his family’s heart with priceless memories of the family gathering to go to Yellowstone, ride the stagecoach in Jackson and go trout fishing in Yellowstone Lake for that night’s dinner.
Eventually deciding to pursue a path in medicine at the University of Colorado, Boulder, there was one more discovery to make that would begin his two lifetime passions. It was while taking ballroom dance for a P.E. class that he met the love of his life, Gayle Johansson. He knew immediately this would be the girl he would marry. They would marry in June 1959, the summer before their senior year.
Karl earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Boulder in 1964, majoring in math, chemistry and biology. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa (earned as a junior), all four years on the Dean’s List, University of Colorado Honor Society “Order of Chessman.” While an undergraduate, Karl enjoyed serving as assistant teaching chemistry to fellow undergraduates.
Following graduation Karl was accepted to medical school at Dartmouth University, Stanford and University of California Berkeley. He and Gayle were all set to move to Stanford when a last minute offer of a full paid scholarship to UC Medical School changed their plans to the east side of The Bay.
Karl Johansson would thrive in medical school. Graduating with a medical degree in 1968, he had earned membership into the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha, as a junior, and would be a UC Regents scholar all four years.
Following medical school, Karl and Gayle moved to Portland, Oregon for a medical internship for Karl at the University of Oregon Hospital. In Portland Karl and Gayle would start their own family with the birth of their son, James (Jamie).
In 1969, Karl would be called to active duty in the United States Navy, during the Vietnam War. Beginning his service to his country, the family moved to Pensacola, Florida where he began training as a flight surgeon on a P-3 Orion plane in patrol squadron (VP) 40.
The squadron was based at Moffit Field Naval Air Station so the young Johansson family would move back to California following basic training. It was while at Moffit Field in 1970, Karl and Gayle would grow their family with the birth of their daughter, Kristen.
While away on a 6-month tour, Gayle would accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. By the time Karl’s squadron returned, God would make His plan known for him. Using his 4 year old son, who would ask his dad, why he never went to church, Karl would agree to go to church. In 1973, Karl would also accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
Karl’s U.S. Naval duties would take him to Viet Nam, Philippines and, with the whole family, to Okinawa, Japan.
Karl was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1973 with the rank of lieutenant commander, having earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), National Defense Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and he was very proud of his Expert Pistol Shot Medal.
Returning to civilian medicine and his new life in Christ, Karl decided to begin his medical residency at UC San Francisco’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Asked why he went into OB, with all the sleepless nights it entailed, he would reply, “It’s the only time people are happy to be in a hospital.” Those sleepless nights as an intern would see his picture in Time Magazine featuring an article about the trials of OB/GYN medical interns.
Living in San Bruno, Karl began to focus his energy on patients and following Christ. Participating in church leadership at Church of the Highlands and at night helping his young children with prayers and memory verses. Kristen and Jamie would agree, keeping up with memorizing scripture was difficult when dad has a photographic memory.
A fellow intern from Michigan would become a lifelong friend and forever tie the bonds of two families as medical partners, Jack Anderson. Karl would graduate from residency as chief resident in 1977.
Following 4 years of internship, Karl would take the family 5 hours north on Highway 101 to Fortuna, California where he and Jack would go into private practice together at Redwood Memorial Hospital as “New Life Associates.”
While serving as a rural doctor in Humboldt County, Karl and Gayle kept their love of the Bay Area. The family would spend many hours returning to The City for the symphony, ballet and Karl’s love of sports, particularly the San Francisco 49ers and Giants. He and the family enjoyed the season tickets he purchased to all of them.
It was at some point near the end of 16 years spent in Fortuna he stopped counting the babies he delivered, he was at 10,000.
In 1993, with the kids now off to college, Karl and Gayle felt it was time to “semi-retire” and seek a slower pace that focused on their love of serving others. Moving to Oroville, God, Karl and Oroville Hospital had other ideas for the next 30 years.
Karl found joy in serving his community by taking care of his patients. There would be no slowing down and he and Gayle fell in love with the Oroville community. Serving on church boards, taking part in church plays, men’s bible studies and being there to pray with his patients and fellow medical staff during times of challenge and praise was really what drove him. He was proud of his work not only in the hospital but serving on the board of Oroville’s Crisis Pregnancy Center and he was forever committed that all life is valued in God’s plan.
Every once in a while, Karl did find time “not to work” and enjoyed spending time on the boat at Lake Oroville, tending his garden and making improvements to his property, and fixing up his home with Gayle. The couple enjoyed bringing home treasures from their numerous vacations, including European cruises, relaxing retreats at the Albion River Inn in Fort Bragg, and annual summer trips to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Karl was a collector and enjoyed finding special artisan pieces during their travels.
Karl's boats, throughout his life, were his pride and joy, a source of countless family adventures, especially with his three beloved grandchildren, whom he taught to waterski and wakeboard. His devotion to his family was evident in the annual Christmas letters he penned, proudly updating friends on his loved ones' lives. He was also dedicated to serving the Lord as a deacon at Oroville Evangelical Free Church up until his passing.
Dr. Karl Johansson will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his patients, his love of Oroville and his desire to help women. Over the course of his career, he delivered three generations of babies and left an indelible mark on his community. The outpouring of love and sentiment at his passing is a testament to his impact and legacy.
Karl was preceded in death by his wife Gayle, and is survived by his daughter Kristen (Adam) Wilson, his son Jamie (Nicole) Johansson, and his three beloved grandchildren, Jack, Luke, and Kate.
A memorial service to celebrate Karl's life and legacy will be held on June 18, 2024 at Oroville Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dr. Karl Johansson Caring for Women Fund, through the North Valley Community Foundation, reflecting Karl's commitment to helping others and the value of all life.
Arrangements entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877