Richard David Johnson

July 21, 1933 – August 6, 2025

Richard (Dick) Johnson, 92, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2025, at Providence Hospital in Centralia, Washington.

Dick was born on July 21, 1933, in Tacoma, Washington, to Norman and Maria Johnson. He married Bobbie Belcher in 2003, though they had been together since 1988. They loved spending time together at their tree farm—planting, cutting, and caring for the land they cherished.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Belcher of Randle, WA; his son, Timothy (Sharon) Johnson of Onalaska, WA; and his stepdaughter, Jennifer (Jack) Mullins of Chehalis, WA. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Kayla Johnson of San Luis Obispo, CA, and Kylea Johnson of Olympia, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Maria Johnson; his sisters, Gladys, Norma, and Julie; his son, Jeremy Johnson; and his daughter, Karla Johnson.

Dick worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Randle, WA, starting in 1966 until his retirement in 1994. He loved working in the woods and the friendships he made there, often telling stories from those years right up until his passing. He studied forestry at both the University of Washington and Oregon State University. He also proudly served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany.

A true outdoorsman, Dick was an avid hunter who harvested numerous elk and deer. Elk camp was one of his favorite places to be, and he especially enjoyed trips to Wyoming to hunt deer with friends.

In his youth, Dick was an adventurer, climbing many mountains in the region, most notably Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens before its eruption in 1980.

Dick had a tireless work ethic and a love for staying busy. In addition to his Forest Service career, he drove log trucks for Lattimer Logging, chip trucks for Cowlitz Stud, operated forklifts, and did odd jobs at the mill. For 20 winters, he also worked weekends at White Pass Ski Resort so his children could ski for free. At the same time, he built his own home, purchased a shake mill that he converted into a tree farm, and became a beekeeper—sending his bees to Naches fruit farms and to clear-cuts in the national forest.

Above all, Dick loved the outdoors, hard work, and time with family and friends. His adventurous spirit, dedication, and love of nature will be deeply missed.

A celebration of life and potluck will be held at their tree farm on Peters Road in Randle, WA, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, beginning at noon.