92, a resident of Rock Island, Ill. for 37 years and formally of Galesburg, Ill., died March 27, 2013 at Trinity West Hospital following a long illness.
He was the son of Edna (Hvarven) and Lawrence P. Johnson born September 18, 1920 in Galesburg, Ill. He married Barbara Jean West in Kahoka, Mo., January 16, 1943.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara; three sons, William R. (Linda Lee Peterson) Johnson of Morton, Ill.; Barrie L. Johnson of San Francisco, Ca.; and Byron E. (Linda King) Johnson of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; a sister Virginia (Johnson) Casino, of Rochester, Minn. and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Barbara (Johnson) Long; and brothers-in-law, John E. Long, Sr. and Dr. Joseph P. Casino.
He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1938 and then from Browns Business College in Galesburg. He spent many years in the wholesale grocery business working at Lyle Brown Co., Browns Specialty Co., and W.A. Jordan Co. (Red & White Foods) which was bought by Farm House Foods of Eldridge, Iowa. At this time he and his wife moved to Rock Island, Ill. He later worked at Food-For-Less in Davenport, Ia.
As a youth he was active in Boy Scouts as a cabin leader and lifesaving instructions. He enlisted in the Army in June 1942 and was promoted rapidly, being recommended for officer candidate school in January, 1943. He served in the Anti-Aircraft Battalions until being assigned to the Signal Corp as a captain. He served in the European and the Pacific Theatres until 1946. He resumed his grocery career until 1952 when he was recalled to active duty in the Korean War, serving in northern Japan as Air-Ground Liaison Officer with the Air Force attaining the rank of major. He resumed his civilian career in late 1955.
After a bout with cancer, he actively supported the Relay for Life and the Quad City Ostomy Club. As a hobby “Bicycle Bob” enjoyed fixing and providing bicycles for people in the Quad City area.
He was a Life member of the Reserve Officers Assoc., Life member of B.P.O. Elks 894 Galesburg, Trinity Lutheran Church Galesburg, Thor Lodge #9 Viking Club Moline, St .James Lutheran Church Rock Island, Quad City Ostomy Club, and American Society.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, 1070 W. Fremont St., Galesburg, Ill. with Rev. Janet Lepp officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00AM to 11:00AM Wednesday. Military honors will be provided at the funeral home by the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285. Burial will be in the West family plot at the Knoxville Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers or statuary you may donate to the Quad City Ostomy Club in Roberts name, 3743 40th St. Place, Moline, Ill. 61265
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