Robert Johnson

Bob was born in NE Minneapolis on May 20, 1927 to Gustave and Mary Louise (Tailfen) Johnson. Bob was the oldest of three children, having one sister, Thyra, and a brother, Mark. Bob joined the Navy and served time on a mine sweeper that was stationed just out of the Philippines. He was an electrician's helper on board, and during R&R, when the other sailors would enjoy a swim, Bob would be stationed as a sharpshooter looking out for sharks, since he was not a good swimmer. Bob studied at St. John's University in Collegeville, and at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN. English and Theology were his majors. Maybe he should have been an English teacher, for he never missed the opportunity to correct one's grammar? In his early years, while in college, Bob spun records at a radio station and this was the start of his love for music, especially classical. He recorded miles of tapes on his reel to reel machines. Religion always played a large part of Bob's life. He entered the Holy Cross order at Notre Dame in Indiana, where he was planning on a life in the priesthood. He taught C.C.D. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and was lector for years at Christ the King Church, both in Minneapolis, MN. Bob had a deep love of the Latin Mass, and was very close to St. Agnes Church, especially vespers and their High Masses. Bob was also a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Minneapolis for many years. Bob was a technical writer for Honeywell, where his dad worked for years, and also a technical writer for Onan and 3M Company, from where he retired. Bob had many of his suits specially made for him by a Hong Kong tailor, and he also had a few shirts made and had (A Fine Lad) embroidered on some! Bob had a love of photography and was a member of several clubs. He enjoyed processing his own film, and developing black and white pictures in his basement. He sold cameras (part time) at Dayton's for many years as well. He frequently could be seen carrying his Leica cameras with him. Bob always had a love of animals, especially dogs. Karl, his German shepherd, would always be his favorite. He was well known in his neighborhood for walking his dogs and saying hello to his many neighbors. Bob will be greatly missed by all of them. Bob died on March 1, 2016 at Birchwood Care Center in Forest Lake at the age of 88. To the end, Bob was a gentle man who touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. Heaven is a better place now that he has found his way home. Survived by brother, Mark; dear friends, Tim & Michele Peterson; godmother, Helen Olson; and many other family members and close neighbors. King for many years. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 7, 2016 at The Church of St. Agnes, 535 Thomas Ave., St. Paul. Interment at Lakewood Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

cemetery
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Service
Monday, March 7, 2016

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