Robert H. “Bob” Johnson, age 79, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Monument Health in Rapid City .
Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home in Rapid City, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 22, at St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church (532 Adams St.) in Rapid City, with Father Kerry Prendeville as celebrant, and Father John Paul Trask as con-celebrant.
Interment with military honors will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, at the Wall Cemetery.
Robert H. “Bob” Johnson was born October 24, 1944, in Rapid City, South Dakota, the son of Howard and Eunice (Sebade) Johnson. Bob grew up and received his education in Wall. His junior year in high school, Bob enlisted in the Army National Guard and after graduation headed off to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training. After returning from basic, he moved to Sunny, California to become a barber. His grandmother lived there so he had free room and board.
After learning the fine art of barbering, Bob headed back to South Dakota and ended up working in the little town of Philip. While working there he met a young lady who worked in the beauty shop next door, Vonna Peterson. They were married October 29, 1966. After their marriage, they moved to Rapid City for a short time, before moving to Wall, where Bob owned and operated his own barber shop. After two years of working alone, Bob decided to close his shop and began working for the Pennington County Highway Department, as a foreman for eastern Pennington County. He did this for 14 years.
They began their family in 1971 when Julie Lynn was born. Then in 1975, Cory Scott was born. While in Wall, Bob was on the Fire Department, President of the Rodeo Association, served eight years on the school board, worked with the Boy Scouts, and coached little kids’ softball.
In 1985, Bob bought the Baken Park Barber Shop in Rapid City and continued to own and operate it until 2019. At that time, he began easing into retirement. Bob sold his shop but continued to work part time. Over the years he was an active member of the South Dakota Barbers Association and President.
Bob was a member of the American Legion Post #311 of Piedmont, and a member of the St. Therese Catholic Church in Rapid City.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching football and the cowboy channel, but his greatest enjoyment was watching his kids, and most recently his grandkids, in all their endeavors.
Survivors include his wife Vonna Johnson of Rapid City; two children Julie (Scott) McDonald and their children Jenna and Jacob, and Cory (Jodi) Johnson and their children Jadyn and Adonis; one brother Gail (Wanda) Johnson of Pierre; one sister Marilyn Wulf of Rapid City; a brother-in-law Buster (Nancy) Peterson of Kadoka; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Eunice Johnson; and his in-laws David and Frances Peterson.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Wall.
