Richard C. (Dick). Johnson
1930 - September 13, 2020 (90 years)
Johnson,
Richard C. "Dick" age 90 of Edina, passed away on 9/13/20. Dick, the
youngest of nine children of Hilmer H. and Alma S. (Swanson) Johnson,
was raised in south Minneapolis.
When Dick
was eleven years old, his Dad died and as a result, he started working
during the summers when he was twelve. He graduated from
Roosevelt High School at the age of 17 and enrolled in the University
of Minnesota. After one year, he joined the U's National Reserve
Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and became a Midshipman. He was
given a scholarship which required four years of Naval Academy-like
training. At the conclusion of 4 years, Dick was commissioned a
Marine Corps Second Lieutenant. While on active duty, he served
in all of the Marine Corps Divisions, 1st in Korea, 2nd in North
Carolina and 3rd in Japan. After Dick's active duty he served in
the Marine Corps Reserve at the former U.S. Naval station (Twin Cities)
and he achieved the rank of Major. Although ready, Dick was not
called up for Vietnam.
After seven years at
the University of Minnesota, Dick earned a BA, with a major of
Economics and a degree of Law Juris Doctor, Phi Delta Phi.
Dick
practiced law for over 55 years in Minnesota and Washington, D.C. and
while in corporate practice served as Vice President, Secretary, and
General Counsel of Red Owl Stores, Inc. He was also active in the
organized bar, holding leadership positions with the Minnesota State
Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. He served many
years as a part-time Hennepin County Conciliation Court Judge and as an
arbitrator of the Hennepin District Court.
Dick
had a great interest in government and politics. For 36 years, he
was active in the Republican Party in Minnesota and Virginia.
While working in Washington, D.C., he served on the 1988 and 1992
committees of the presidential campaigns of George H.W. Bush. He
also served for many years on the Edina City Council.
Dick
was an interested and active person and was a member of Christ
Presbyterian Church, the Edina Historical Society, the Minnesota
Institute of Arts, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Senior Tennis
Players Club, The Skylight Club, the Smithsonian Institute, the
Southdale YMCA and the ULLR Ski, Bike and Social Club.
Dick
is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, son Craig and former
wife Nancy Van Tassel Johnson. He is survived by his daughter
Leslie (Bob) of Chanhassen, his son, Kent (Stacy) of Woodbury and his
grandchildren Taylor, Alyssa and Madison.
The family
thanks the incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate hospice teams at
Park Nicollet, Methodist Hospital and NC Little for treating Dick with
patience, tenderness and dignity. You all have a special gift and
we are grateful you shared it with Dick and his family.
A
Celebration of Dick's life will be held on 10/5 at 2 pm at Christ
Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Rd, Edina. Masks and social
distancing required. Please register beforehand at forms.gle/… or
952.920.8515 x246. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the
CPC's Foundation or NC Little Hospice in Edina.
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