Nils Eric Johnson

Nils Eric Johnson

March 4, 1937 - April 23, 2018

On Monday, April 23, 2018, Nils Eric Johnson passed away peacefully at his home in Redondo Beach, he was 81 years old. Nils loved life! He was an avid skier and golfer, a loving family man, a life-coach to many, and a man who cherished the relationships with his friends.

Nils enjoyed skiing for over 25 years with the Gravity Survey Team and played golf with his trustee foursome on a weekly basis at the Palos Verdes Golf Club where he was a member. Nils was often seen around town with his wife, Pati, cruising in his bright red 1964 1/2 Mustang convertible. Both Nils and Pati were generous and fun-loving hosts of many gatherings with family and friends, especially their infamous Swedish Christmas Eve dinner parties.

Nils was born to Swedish immigrants in Chicago, Illinois. During part of his childhood, he spent 3 years in Sweden where he became fluent in Swedish, and embraced the Swedish culture. After returning to the US, his family moved to Rockford, Illinois, where he graduated from East High School. After graduation, he moved to California and attended El Camino College, where he met Pati, they later married in 1959. He transferred to San Jose State University where he graduated with a degree in Journalism. After graduating, Nils joined the Falstaff Brewery Company in San Jose, CA as Public Relations Manager; he then relocated his family back to Southern California and joined the Northrop Corporation as a Recruiter. In 1971, a highlight of his 35 year career was when Northrop moved Nils and his family for 3 years to Tehran, Iran. After moving back to California for a brief time, he then took an assignment in Northern Virginia as the head of Human Resources at Page Communications, a subsidiary of the Northrop Corporation. The family returned back to Southern California where Nils was promoted to VP of Human Resources for the Electronic Division and later the Aircraft Division. His civic duties included serving as an active board member of the Northrup Grumman Federal Credit Union and the El Camino College Foundation.

After retiring from his successful 35 year career with Northrop, he continued his quest for life by traveling and checking off his bucket list to include returning to Sweden, playing famous golf courses, and experiencing the joy of traveling with his family to the Baltic and the UK.

Nils is survived by his wife, Pati Bevan Johnson, daughter Janan Johnson of Redondo Beach, and son Scott (Gloria) Johnson of Leesburg, Virginia.

Services will be held May 3 at 2 pm at St. Cross Episcopal Church, 1818 Monterey Blvd, Hermosa Beach. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the El Camino College Foundation. www.elcamino.edu/foundation/ or 310/660-3683.

Please sign the guestbook at dailybreeze.com/obits.