Richard Johnson, 69, a retired City of Chicago employee and pharmacist, died Jan. 6 after a long struggle with emphysema. Johnson was a fixture in Chicago's LGBT community for many years.
Johnson was born March 23, 1945, in Annapolis, Maryland, but grew up in Batavia, Illinois. His father owned a drugstore in Batavia, which led to Johnson's interest in becoming a pharmacist. He earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in pharmacy from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
Johnson is survived by his sisters, Mary Johnson ( wife Andrea Goudy ) and Margie nee Johnson Logman; and Margie's children: Jason ( Lisa ), Aaron and Sarah Logman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert L. Johnson and Anne Louise nee Smale Johnson; brother-in-law Edward Logman; and stepmother Ruth Foland Johnson.
Following four years as a pharmacist, Johnson shifted gears and went to work at Abbott Laboratories, where he did sales. After his time at Abbott, he worked for the Chicago Film Festival. From 1989 to 1995, he worked for the Mayor's Office of Special Events during the Richard M. Daley administration. Before retirement, Johnson opened his own business, R.C. Johnson and Associates, a marketing firm that focused on bringing a variety of performers to Navy Pier.
"Richard had a commanding voice and presence which was tailor made for the radio. When he spoke everyone listened to what he had to say and he made friends with everyone he encountered. Richard had lots of passion and was a very spiritual person," said Ed Kaczmarek, longtime friend and co-founder of Urban Pooch Canine Life Center and Brand Innovators Labs. "He loved everything Chicago and was an active participant in city government. Richard was most proud of being one of the leads for Mayor Daley's Office of Special Events. He doted on his beautiful black cat, Markey Mark, who was his constant companion for the past 12 years. Richard was excited to participate as a reader at our wedding last year [Kaczmarek married Dan Gaughan]. It was a blessed event and I'm glad that Richard got to be a part of it. I'll miss him deeply but a part of him will always be with me. He was a dear friend."
"He was a dear close friend of mine. I feel he was a quintessential Chicagoan who loved the city, politics, sports and culture more that anyone I knew," said Gaughan, long-time friend and co-founder of Urban Pooch Canine Life Center. "Richard's smile, decent serenity, whit and big heart were endless and given to everyone who came into his life. We will miss him terribly."
"Richard was a kind and loving man. He was beloved senior and an active part of Chicago's LGBT community," said Owen Keehnen, a friend and author. "He faced his recent illness with dignity and grace. He will be deeply missed."
David Cerda, longtime friend and artistic director of Hell in a Handbag Productions, said of Johnson, "He was a very steady presence in the LGBT recovery community. I met Richard when he was starting to get sober and it was a pleasure to witness his journey to sobriety. He was a kind, thoughtful and supportive person whom everyone loved.
"He came to every one of my shows until his illness prevented him from attending. I will miss him very much."
"Richard was a wonderful man who fought the good fight. He kept his sense of humor throughout his illness and was very grateful to his friends who supported him especially in his final years of life," said friend and retired State of Illinois social service employee Kookie Kelly. "He was a credit to the LGBT community and will be missed."
"He was an open book in all aspects of his life. It was very much what you see it what you get with Richard," said Joey McDonald, another longtime friend who is an International Mr. Leather executive committee member and Back to School Illinois office manager.
A memorial service will take place at Broadway United Methodist Church, 3338 N. Broadway, on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m., followed by a pot-luck brunch at the church, per Johnson's wishes.
