Robert Johnson

Robert W. Johnson, May 4, 1924 to March 20, 2013, passed away peacefully at his Fountain Hills home surrounded by family.

A proud first-generation American and lifelong Minnesotan at heart, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, Betty Bremer Johnson; his parents, Axel and Evelyn Johnson; and his in-laws, Edward and Emily Bremer.

He is survived by adoring children and their spouses, Beth (Jack) Hult, Susan (Stu) Kantor, Leigh Johnson and Ken Kradle, Edward (Britt) Johnson, David (Mary) Johnson and Rick (Mary) Johnson and 13 loving grandchildren.

Bob attended the University of Minnesota on a Naval ROTC scholarship and graduated from the U of M School of Business Administration and the U of M Law School.

He proudly defended his country as a “Tin Can Sailor” on the USS Walker in the Pacific theater.

Bob started his professional career as a certified public accountant and tax counsel at Minneapolis Honeywell Regular Company. He left Honeywell for private law partnerships. Eventually, he started his own firm, Robert W. Johnson, PA.

He was also a lobbyist for Minnesota’s Independent Telephone Companies, the Hotel/Motel/Hospitality Group, and sanitation workers.

From 1963 to 1975, Bob represented St. Paul’s Highland neighborhood in the Minnesota House of Representatives. In 1978, he ran for Governor of Minnesota as an Independent Republican.

Thirty-five years ago, when Fountain Hills was hardly a city, Bob built Minnesota Flats on a hill overlooking the Fountain. He was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills. He also loved The Farm, near Pelican Rapids, Minn., where he raised polled Herefords and planted several hundred acres.

Bob leaves behind friends and supporters too numerous to name and from all walks of life and corners of the globe.

Our family thanks Arizona Professional Care Services in Scottsdale and Encore Senior Services in Excelsior, Minn. for their kind, respectful caregiving. Services will be held in Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Minnesota Chapter) or donor’s choice.