American Hiking Remembers Tom Johnson, long-time board member and AT historian

American Hiking Society is remembering the life of long-time board member, Tom Johnson, who passed away on Saturday, December 5, while hiking in Shenandoah National Park. Tom suffered a heart attack while on a group hike with the local chapter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Conservancy (PATC).  

An Appalachian Trail (A.T.) historian, Tom dedicated much of his life to the trail and volunteering. He served as American Hiking Society’s board secretary and was passionate to share his love of the outdoors with others. 

Former Chair of American Hiking’s Board of Directors, Jennifer Chambers, writes “Tom Johnson is the essence of trails, as he passionately built and blazed them. He followed and led in the footsteps of Benton MacKaye to sow and plant the seeds of trails north and south, to share their story (and others) so it’s not forsaken or forgotten, and to mentor generations younger as new trail blazers. Tom’s trail stories and passion will be greatly missed by the hiking community who loved him.”

Our condolences go out to Tom’s wife, Sharon, and daughter, Nina, at this difficult time. Tom’s legacy as a dedicated trail steward and stalwart advocate for conservation will continue to live on.