Site Products
PongNOW: Dean Johnson

PongNOW: Dean Johnson

(by Steve Hopkins)

The PongNOW interview series discusses table tennis with some of the best players and personalities in the sport.

In this edition, Dean Johnson shares stories about the table tennis scene in New York City in the golden era for the sport in this country, about his potential role in a Stellan Bengtsson remembrance in Sweden, and he discusses how a table tennis book was responsible for meeting his wife (and best friend).   YouTube users can Subscribe to receive notices when future PongNow videos post.

__________________________

By 1957 Dean had returned home from serving abroad as a Army Stars and Stripes photographer. While visiting a bookstore, Dean came upon a book titled “Table Tennis” by Coleman Clark.  The book featured a number of top U.S. players and noted that they were based in New York City.  Since it was just a short drive away from New Jersey, he set out to visit the storied Riverside Table Tennis club referenced in the book.  On his first visit, he met Bernie Bukiet and an array of other legends in the sport – and a lifetime love of the sport was born.

A few years later, Dean and his friend Bernie drove to Toronto to compete in the Canadian Nationals.  Bernie found elite competition in the top levels of the singles event, and Dean found something much better – he was introduced to Helga Bultemeier.  Helga and Dean launched their own journey – they were married in 1964, and they are still together today.

When Dean visited Sweden, he was directed to visit a statue of Stellan Bengtsson which had been erected in his Stellan’s hometown.  Dean was surprised and honored to find similarities between the statue and a photo that he had taken years before.

A special thank you to Dean for sharing these stories.

__________________________

PongNOW Interview are powered by Butterfly.  Comment on videos via twitter @PONGNOW.  YouTube users can Subscribe to receive notices when future PongNow videos are uploaded.

Latest News

Serve Into the Body

July 11, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: Serve long serve to elbow, Robot plays topspin to Backhand, Backhand spin block down the line.… Read More

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.