A retired math teacher killed himself two days after reports were disclosed of sexual assault. David M. Johnson, 81, Waupaca, was found hanging in his garage shortly before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, according to 911 call logs.
On March 26, the Nicolet School District, where Johnson taught high school math from 1958 to 1991, sent a letter to former students regarding an investigation into allegations that Johnson sexually abused a student. According to the criminal complaint, a 36-year-old man reported to the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office that Johnson had sexually assaulted him. Judge Philip Kirk accepted the pleas, convicted Johnson on the first misdemeanor count and assessed him $395 in fines and court costs. For more than 20 years, Johnson has sponsored the annual Johnson Mathematics Scholarship that gave two Waupaca High School seniors $500 each toward their college education.