Dr. Stephen Keith Johnston, age 82, passed away on August 16 at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury in Winchester, Virginia. Born on October 7, 1941, in Evansville, Indiana, Steve was the son of the late Theodore Roosevelt Johnston and Annie Belle Dame Johnston. In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Doris Jean Johnston Wink, her husband, Cecil Wink, and his great-niece, Rachel Smyth.

Steve is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Loretta Westerman Johnston; his daughter, Elisabeth Johnston Ross (Scott) of Alexandria, Virginia; his cherished grandchildren, Jessica Caroline Ross and Andrew Clifton Ross; his niece, Susanne Wink Smyth (James); his nephew, Scott Wink (Linda); his great-niece, Jennifer Wink Rohrs (William); and his great-great-niece, Madelyn Rose Rohrs.

Steve was a graduate of Central High School in Evansville, Indiana, where he studied clarinet under Mr. Earl Gilgore, a former clarinetist with the John Phillip Sousa Band. As a high school junior, Steve had the honor of performing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Minas Christian.

He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Evansville Conservatory of Music, where he studied clarinet and conducting with Mr. Wesley Shepherd. He continued his education at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, earning both a Master of Music degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. During his time at Maryland, Steve studied clarinet with Dr. Norman Heim and conducting with Mr. Paul Traver.

From 1972 to 2007, Dr. Stephen Johnston served as the Anna Lee VanBuren Endowed Professor of Clarinet at the Shenandoah University Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Virginia. In addition to his teaching, Steve conducted the Shenandoah Conservatory Wind Ensemble for many years, was clarinetist with the VanBuren Quintet, and gave concerts in Europe and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Steve also made significant contributions to the field of music as the President of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (NACWPI) and through his numerous publications in the NACWPI Journal.

A gifted musician, Steve directed church choirs, composed choral descants for hymns, and performed and conducted classical orchestral music for church services and festivals. He also wrote program notes for various musical venues including performances at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Steve was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Winchester, where he served on the Vestry and sang in the choir. For many years he was delighted to judge marching bands in the Apple Blossom Parade.

Steve had a passion for animals and supported many organizations dedicated to the care and protection of both domestic and wild animals. Over the years, he adopted and found loving homes for many rescued cats.

As a resident of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Community since 2014, Steve received exceptional care during his time in the Healthcare wing. His family is deeply grateful for the compassionate work of the nurses and doctors at Winchester Medical Center, as well as the dedicated care provided by Blue Ridge Hospice.

A memorial service, officiated by Chaplain Dr. Bill Everheart, will be held at the Westminster-Canterbury chapel on Friday, August 30 at 2:00 PM. The family will greet guests following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fellowship Fund of Westminster-Canterbury in Winchester (SVWC.org/s/foundation).