Richard G. Johnson

Richard "Dick" Gordon Johnson, 93, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on October 21, 2021, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN with his family at his side. He was born on December 23, 1927, on a farm near Ihlen, MN in Pipestone County. After graduating from Pipestone High School in 1945, he joined the Navy and served as a hospital corpsman for two years. This experience inspired him to study pharmacy at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Pharmacy degree in 1951. After graduating from "the U", he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War and he served as the Head of Pharmacy at the Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD. He left the service in 1952 and returned to Minneapolis for a job at the downtown Loop Pharmacy. This job marked the start of his 53-year pharmacy career, and more importantly, it's where he met his future wife, Florence Opsahl. They married in 1954 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Brooklyn Center, MN where he opened his own store, Brooklyn Center Pharmacy. Dick and Florence were long time members of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Center. In 2006 they moved to Rochester to be closer to family. Dick loved to bowl, golf, and to fly his Bonanza airplane. He also loved live theater, following Minnesota sports teams, and traveling across the country and around the world. Dick was an avid reader (especially history) and he enjoyed playing cribbage, cards, and chess. But most of all, Dick enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a kind, generous and gentle man who will be greatly missed. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Hannah (Sabie) Johnson, an infant sister, and his brother, David Johnson. He is survived by his wife Florence, sons Scot (Sylvia) and Tory (Julie), grandsons Chris, Alex (Dina), and Kevin, his brother James Johnson (Maxine) and sister Betty Smith (Marlin). A memorial service for Dick will be held at 11:00am Friday, November 12, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal PL NW Rochester 55901) with visitation starting at 9:30am till the time of the service. Burial will take place at Preston State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN. In addition to flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer's Association. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Johnson family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com