Who is Johnny from Death Be Not Proud: A Memoir and what is their importance?

Johnny Gunther was the main character in this book. He lived from 1929 until 1947. He was highly intelligent and had a great interest in science, particularly physics and chemistry. Johnny lived internationally in his earliest years, but moved to America to stay before he was ten years old. His parents were divorced, but the divorce was very amicable. He had a close relationship with both of his parents.