Robert Lee Bob Johnson, a longtime Richland resident, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2009, in Richland at the age of 94. He was born in Portland, OR on July 16, 1915, to Marie Pearl and William Lee Johnson, the eldest of three children. He was raised in Portland and graduated from Franklin High School. With Cougar pride, Bob graduated from Washington State College in 1938 with a Pharmacy degree.

In July 1938, Bob married Leah Mae Copeland of Lewiston, ID. They were the proud and loving parents of their son, Ronald Lee, and their daughter, Judith Rae.

Bob's pharmacy career began in Grand Coulee, WA followed by a move to Pullman, WA. In 1944, he purchased the Dayton Drug in Dayton, WA. In January 1950, he opened Johnson's Pharmacy and it soon became a north Richland icon, with its soda fountain, comic books and magazines, and old-fashioned pharmacy services. Today this location is the site of Malley's Pharmacy.

In May 1962, Bob established the Richland Clinic Pharmacy inside the newly opened Richland Clinic, remaining there until his retirement in 1977. Bob and Leah spent summers at High Valley Park in Packwood, WA and winters in the Mesa, AZ area. Bob lovingly cared for Leah before she passed away in 1988. In 1993, Bob married Lucille Wilkinson. They spent summers at Luci's home in Fair Haven, NY and winters in Mesa, AZ. He was truly blessed to have the love and companionship of two wonderful wives.

Bob was a kind and gentle man who enjoyed life and people. He was an excellent role model for his children, grandchildren, generations of pharmacy customers, and others who knew him as a special friend and with whom he shared many practical jokes and adventures. There are stories, too numerous to recount, that illustrate his generous and loving spirit. Bob's notorious exit lines were "Go Cougs," or "Keep Smiling," and we'll fondly remember him whenever we hear those words..

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Leah, sister Helen Shisler, and daughter-in-law Billie Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Lucille; sister, Virginia Hott Ventura, CA; son, Ron Johnson Diane Avant, Richland, WA; daughter Judy Zimmerman Jim, Richland, WA; Luci's daughters: Susan Neault Donald, Baldwinsville, NY; Chris Staren John, East Taunton, MA; Leah's sister and brother, Barbara Lundquist, San Leandro, CA; and Ray Copeland Klea, Spokane, WA; seven grandchildren: Richard Johnson Maggie, Brooklyn, NY; Kelli Johnson Burke Tim, Lancaster, CA; Jill Buchanan Rose Rick, Richland, WA; Kirk Johnson Monica, Richland, WA; Dana Buchanan Collier, Kirkland, WA; Steven Buchanan, Pasco, WA; and, Kristen Johnson Duggan Kelly, Richland, WA; step-grandchildren: Sarah Avant, Richland, WA; Jessica Avant-Hauf Jay Hauf, St. Louis, MO; Michael Neault, Portland, OR; Jeffrey Neault, Billerica, MA; Jessica Staren, Attleboro, MA; Matthew Staren, East Taunton, MA; twenty great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Kennewick First Presbyterian Church, 2001 West Kennewick Ave., Kennewick, WA on Saturday, September 12 at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, Kennewick First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, or a charity of your choice.