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| Service Information Richard Haven Johnston |
| Service: Service will be held at a later date Memorials: CurePSP.org or Rock Steady Boxing of West Michigan |
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Richard (Dick) Johnston was born June 3, 1945, in Charleston, WV, to Franklin and Elizabeth (Stone) Johnston. After a valiant battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Richard died at home on July 22, 2020 in Caledonia, MI.
Raised in St. Albans, WV, Richard graduated from St. Albans High School in 1963. Following high school, he began attending the University of Michigan, obtaining his BA in 1967. In 1969, Richard was called to serve in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, and went on to Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, GA. In Vietnam (CORDS IV Corp), he served the Military Advisory Command in training village defense forces. He was honorably discharged in 1971 as a first Lieutenant. Following his service in the army, Richard returned to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and achieved his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1973.
From 1973 to 2000, Richard worked at Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp. in Toledo, OH. He completed his career as the manager for export textile materials from 1986 until his retirement in 2000.
In 2008, he met and married Sue Harvey of Grand Rapids, MI. Sue and Richard built a home in Caledonia, MI, where he lived for the rest of his life. Richard loved home, nature, long hikes, and being outdoors, spending many hours creating magnificent gardens enjoyed by family, friends, and wildlife. Richard was very generous with his time and talents in helping family and friends with home improvements and gardening projects. His special dogs, Sunny and JoJo, brightened his life. He made sure all the neighborhood birds were well fed and enjoyed watching their antics.
Richard developed Progressive Supranuclear Palsy during the last years of his life as a result of service related exposure to Agent Orange. He was cared for at home by Sue with help from the VA, hospice, and a very special caregiver, Shaleena. While PSP gradually diminished his body, he fought valiantly and continued laughing to the very end. He sought many avenues to maintain his abilities, and especially enjoyed participating in Rock Steady Boxing with Sue, Coach Amy, and many other Parkinson's warriors.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sue Harvey Johnston; his son, Drew (Kristen Heintschel) Johnston; step-daughter, Karena (Chad) Colton; step-son, Drew Sederquist; six grandchildren, Kobe, Corbin, and Chloe Colton, Charlize Sederquist, and Maura and Mack Johnston; sisters, Sarah (Sheldon) Johnston Miller, Julia (Charles) Johnston Bond, Lucy Johnston Bauman; sister-in-law, Anne Harvey; brother-in-law, Donald (Brenda) Harvey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to COVID-19, there will not be a memorial service at this time. In honor of Richard, please consider donating to CurePSP.org or Rock Steady Boxing of West Michigan.
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STROO FUNERAL HOME
1095 68TH ST SE
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49508
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Comments
Dick and I both graduated from Army OCS, he in infantry and myself in artillery. He was sent to Vietnam and I was lucky to be sent to Korea. When Sue informed us of Dick’s agent orange related illness I was shocked and saddened. Dick is the second friend I have lost to agent orange. Both of them are casualties of Vietnam although neither name will appear on the Wall. Vietnam, the war that never ends.
Godspeed Dick Johnston.
Rick Bryan
He was a great guy with whom we had a long friendship as his neighbor. We bought his home in 2007 when he moved to Grand Rapids and have been lucky to be the recipients of his expert landscaping skills. Everyday we are reminded of his love of nature as we enjoy the flowers and grasses that he planted
Our sympathy to Drew and his family
Bill and Sharon Muchalak
Our sincere condolences to all of Dick’s family. May he Rest in Peace.