Herbert J. Johnson

Herb was one of the kindest man I had ever met in my life, besides my Uncle Toddy and Dad. My heart was always lifted when talking with him. Thank you Herb for all your hugs and NWA chats!

It was my pleasure to meet Herb and his wife Merry Jo in 2008 at their home in Cannon Falls when I was writing a book about my Northwest Airlines memories. Herb gave me the grand tour of Cannon Falls, where he grew up and of the farm where he was raised and where he and subsequently his son Scott have farmed every since. Both son Scott and grandson Erik followed Herb to Northwest Airlines where they commenced careers as pilots. Herb told me he was the first "commuting" pilot. He had to prove to his superiors that he could drive from Cannon Falls to MSP in no more than an hour. Then he kept doing it for 32 years until he retired in 1981. We will miss him.