Joseph Richardson "Rich" Johnson Jr.

JOHNSON, Rich lived a good life which ended in Dayton, Ohio on December 25, 2014. He was a gifted story teller, sought-after speaker, author and respected teacher whose gentle, whimsical nature won over all who knew him. Named for his father, Joseph Richardson Johnson Jr., was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on May 6, 1922. He spent his first years in Wellsville, Ohio, but at an early age moved with his parents, Joe and Fran to Cleveland. Rich met his wife Mary Ann Bohlender while they were both students at Miami University. October 28, 2014 they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. After graduating from Miami (Phi Delta Theta), Rich served with the Navy in the Pacific during World War II. Later he received a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. Rich is survived by his wife Mary Ann and their four children: sons; Rick (Nancy) of Portage, MI, Craig (Pat) of Carrolton, TX, and Bruce Johnson of Ithaca, NY, daughter Laurel(Dan)Heffner of Kettering, OH. Rich and Mary Ann have six grandchildren: Joseph Richardson Johnson IV, Lisa Osiecki, and Sam Johnson; Nicole Holliman and Brent Johnson; and Mira Anderson, thirteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Don (Barb) Johnson of Cincinnati, OH. After starting their family in Columbus, Ohio, Rich moved to Mary Ann’s home town of Dayton in 1957. For the next 34 years was Professor of Management at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Professor Johnson spoke and taught throughout the United States and in many other countries. Upon retirement in 1992, he continued to make presentations on local history and natural history. Naturally curious, Rich was widely read and widely traveled. He had a lifelong interest in cars. He was a member of the “Barn Gang” at The Engineers Club where the family gathered for many holidays together. Rich will be interred in Woodland Cemetery where he frequently walked, studying the trees, learning about the people buried there and providing guided talks. Funeral service 12 noon Monday, December 29, 2014 at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-Far Hills Chapel. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service.