Dr. Robert E. Johnson

1921 - 2014

Dr. Robert E. Johnson

January 28, 1921 ~ December 4, 2014

Dr. Robert (Bob) E. Johnson passed away peacefully, at home, on December 4, 2014. Bob was born in Saginaw, Michigan to Lester and Mildred Johnson. He graduated from Arthur Hill High school in 1938, Bay City Junior College in 1940 and the University Of Michigan School Of Dentistry in 1944. He then served in the US Navy Dental Corps from 1944 to 1946 at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and received orders to be the acting Oral Surgeon at the hospital command for the 13th Naval District. His only brother, Russ, joined him in the Naval Dental Corps 6 months later. While serving at Great Lakes he married his sweetheart, Doris Benkert of Saginaw, Michigan.

In 1949 he became the first Executive Officer and head of the Department of Oral Surgery at the University Of Washington School Of Dentistry. He remained as associate professor and head of the department of Oral Surgery until going into private practice in the Medical Dental Building in 1956. He loved Oral Surgery and practiced full time until 1986 and then part-time in his son's office, (Dr. Robert E. Johnson, Jr.) and his son-in-laws office, (Dr. J. Michael Hardy) until his 84th birthday. Bob was on the staff of many of the local hospitals, and belonged to numerous professional organizations. He was also a founding member of the Sertoma Service Club/Big Brothers of Seattle.

Bob played the saxophone from the 8th grade and was student director of the high school marching band. He joined the musicians union (earning $1.50/hour) and helped pay for his education. Bob had a love for music and he continued to play with several "big bands" in the Seattle area until just a few years ago.

Bob also had a great love of the outdoors. He hunted with rifles, shotguns and bow and arrow, fished, and rode dirt bikes, skied and enjoyed boating. He cherished his time at Lake Chelan where these activities could be pursued, within 15 minutes of their condo on the lake.

Bob's biggest trait was that of a family man. He brought the meaning of being "there" for his family to a new level. He would do anything for them, night or day, through thick and thin. Nothing meant more to him than his wife, Doris of 70 years, his daughter Ann Hardy, (Dr. Mike), Bellevue, WA. son, Dr. Robert E. Johnson, Jr. (Linda) Issaquah, WA., brother, Dr. Russell Johnson, (Marge) Saginaw, MI, grandsons, Robbie Hardy, Robert E. Johnson III (Bobby), granddaughters, Carey Hardy, Amy Johnson, and great-granddaughter, Raya Hardy, sister-in-law, Gwen Behrens, (Cliff), and sister-in-law Marge Laube, Saginaw MI. Bob touched the lives of countless patients, friends and most importantly his family; his memory will be cherished by all.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage and would be grateful for donations made to the Robert E. Johnson, DDS, MS Memorial Fund, for the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, made out to the University of Washington Foundation. Mail to: University of Washington Dental Alumni, Box 357137, Seattle, WA 98195. A Celebration of Life Service and reception will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 1215 145th Pl. SE, Bellevue, WA on Saturday, December 20th at 1pm.

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