The Racine Zoo has declared Nov. 11-17 Charles W. Johnson Appreciation Week, in honor of his lifelong support of the zoo. A gathering in memory of his longstanding contributions to the zoo is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 13.

Johnson died in September. The Journal Times outlined his contributions to local organizations, and highlighted contributions he made to places like MIT and the Mayo Clinic. 

Charles Johnson and his wife, Jennifer, used their donations to the zoo to help it expand, purchasing adjoining properites and donating them to the zoo. 

Over the years, The Journal Times reported, the couple donated about $1.5 million to the Racine Zoo, and were credited with allowing the expanded zoo to open several years ago.