Robert Duane Johnson

Robert Duane Johnson of Albuquerque, New Mexico (formerly of Pine City, Minnesota) passed away at New Mexico Veteran's Health Care in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 12, 2024 at the age of 77.

He was born on July 31, 1946 to William and Ruby (Bendiksen) Johnson at Midway Hospital in St Paul, Minnesota. During his early years his family moved around the country while his dad was in the military. In 1964 he graduated from Duluth Central High School. In 1965 he joined the United States Navy and was stationed at the naval base in San Diego where he met the love of his life, Linda L. Varhola.

They married on August 13, 1966 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in La Mesa, California. He then shipped out to Vietnam. Upon his return, they lived in San Diego where he was stationed. Daughter, Sheri, was born shortly afterwards. In 1970 they moved to Minnesota where Bob worked as a security guard at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. Shortly afterwards, Tina was born.

In 1974 he was offered a position as a deputy for the Pine County Sheriff's Department. A few years later his son, Rob, was born. He worked his way from north county night patrolman in 1974 to Chief Criminal Investigator (Lieutenant). During this time frame he was also a member of a three-man Pine County Diving Rescue Recovery Team and his youngest child, Kimberly, was born. Towards the end of his career he became the Special Agent in Charge for the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force for the Five-County Sheriff's Departments. The latter position introduced him to a "Jerry Garcia" look and the use of all of Sheri's hotrods.

After this he retired at the ripe old age of 50. He soon got tired of that and started at Grand Casino Hinckley as a line cook in the Grand Grill. There he was poached by the Gaming Regulatory Authority to be their Background Investigator. That brought him to Albuquerque, to work with the Pueblo Laguna Tribe as the Executive Director of Compliance over all of their tribal gaming locations.

He finally decided to fully retire in 2012. Since that time, he has enjoyed visiting with his family and meeting his grandchildren, most recently his first great-grandchild. Not to mention going on 22 cruises throughout the world.

Robert is survived by wife Linda Johnson; children Sheri (Mark) Skluzacek, Tina (Shawn) Linnell, Robert (Coree) Johnson, Jr., Kimberly Johnson; grandchildren Zachary (Starr) Skluzacek, Lucas Skluzacek, Jennifer Linnell, Ryan Linnell (Kailey Jackson), Mitchell McGrew, Briley Stanford, Breana Stanford, Parker Stanford, Pierce Stanford; great-grandson Theo Skluzacek; great-granddaughter (due in October); sister Carol Kahl; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents William and Ruby Johnson; in-laws Peter and Emily Varhola.

Funeral services for Robert: 11 AM; Wednesday, August 7, 2024. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM; Tuesday, August 6, 2024, and also one hour prior to the service, all at the Swanson Funeral Chapel of Pine City.

Memorials may be directed to the: Agent Orange Project c/o Novak-Milliren VFW Post #4258, 305 8th St. SW, Pine City, MN 55063

Arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com