Kenneth P. Johnson

Ken Johnson, of Delaware Township, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2021 in the company of his family.

Ken was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the oldest of three boys. He graduated from Wilkinsburg High School, where he met his wife Carol. Ken served in the Army in Europe during World War II and then gained admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in accounting.

Ken had a long history in accounting practice. He retired as Vice Chair of Coopers & Lybrand, now Pricewaterhouse Coopers, where he had supervisory responsibility for auditing, accounting, Securities and Exchange Commission liaison and for the firm’s international practice. He then began his own practice of consulting, mediation and providing trial expertise. Ken served the accounting profession by chairing numerous committees and working groups, both within the industry, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and with the government, including the Securities and Exchange Commission. He authored the book, “Evaluating Internal Control”, and co-authored several editions of “Montgomery’s Auditing”. His “pervasive contributions to accounting” were recognized in a tribute by the profession. He was a frequent speaker at industry conferences around the world, which his daughter would sometimes attend. Ken agreed to teach accounting classes at several schools, including Columbia Business School, where his students included the mothers of two of his grandsons’ elementary school chums. We still remember his taking these mothers by surprise when he appeared at his grandsons’ school play.

Ken then turned his attention to the community he loved in Delaware Township. He was passionate about farming from an early age, having spent summers on his aunt’s farm. Ken plunged into farming at his own home on Ferry Road and the new home of his parents, Ken and Lois Johnson, on Pavlica Road. Ken also became involved in elected and appointed positions in Delaware Township and Hunterdon County. Ken served on the Delaware Township Committee as both Mayor and Committeeman. He was a member of the Hunterdon County Republican Committee for many years as well as both the Delaware Township and Hunterdon County Republican Clubs. Among his many other public positions, Ken also served on the Hunterdon County Planning Board and the County Council on Affordable Housing as well as with the Locktown Stone Church.

Ken was an avid member of Sergeantsville VFW Post 8390, serving for many years as Quartermaster. He was a life member of both the VFW and the American Legion.

Ken is predeceased by his wife, Carol Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Johnson, and his grandson, Peter Chapin, both of New Marlborough, Massachusetts.

A service will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822... Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, 1401 Woodland Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. Calling hours will be Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home. The family is planning a memorial service, the kind Ken would have enjoyed attending, to take place over the summer.

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, any contributions in Ken’s memory be made to VFW Post 8390, in care of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

For further information or to offer online condolences, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.