In Memory

Richard W Johnston - Class Of 1959 VIEW PROFILE

Richard William Johnston

Pewaukee - Richard was born in Milwaukee October 13, 1941, to Ronald F. Johnston and Cecil (nee Wendt) Johnston and died July 28, 2021, at age 79. His wife of 54 years, Kathleen Ryan Johnston was by his side.

In addition to beloved wife and dearest friend Kathleen, he is survived by his dear much loved sister, Wendy (Larry) Preo, sister-in-law, Mary Ryan Taras, many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

Richard was a Milwaukee boy with fond memories of Palmer Street, Braves games, Borchert Field, Christmas at Schuster's, and summers on the farm in Waterloo with his cousins and his grandma's store.

He graduated from Washington High School, continued at UWM graduating with a bachelor's and a master's degree. He felt a great debt of gratitude to UWM for inspiring his love of classical studies and providing the opportunities to pursue that passion. He was an independent classics scholar with a special interest in early Greek religion, and in collaboration with his friend and mentor, David D. Mulroy, UWM, would write and publish in scholarly journals. He established the scholarship below in David's honor.

Richard's creativity and writing skills were vital to his life's work. His careers included classified advertising at the Milwaukee Journal and several agencies, free-lance writing, banking, mainly with Commonwealth Bank, teaching night classes at Cardinal Stritch, and finally as a financial advisor for A. G. Edwards. To his last day, he checked the Dow.

Music was a lifetime love. His niche was folk singing, playing the guitar, and whaling songs. Combining his love of the Kingston Trio with his curiosity and love of research, he gathered material with interviews, attendance at concerts, pouring through boxes of records, and collecting memorabilia all of which was donated to the UWM library.

Richard loved art. Paintings, ceramics, and bronze sculptures filled his study and spilled into the rest of the house. He was a patron of the arts developing friendships with artists and often commissioned pieces found in his home.

Newly married, he and Kathy built a cottage in Central Wisconsin that they, friends and family would enjoy for years. It allowed him to indulge in another of his passions, fishing for northern and muskie. One of his prized possessions was a picture with "the big one."

He felt blessed and grateful for his life and all those who brought joy into it. Thank you to our many supportive friends and family, to Vitas and Jackie DeYoung for their care, and to Carl Reinhold for his friendship, visits and subs - all of which Richard enjoyed.

In lieu of flowers Richard designated and his family request donations be made to the UWM Foundation, Inc. David D. Mulroy Classics Scholarship Fund. For more information on making a contribution, please contact Christina McCaffery cmmakal@uwm.edu/414-229-4963 or click this link to give now: www.give.uwm.edu/MulroyClassicsScholarship. Other choices: the Milwaukee Rescue Mission or a food bank of your choice. Per his wishes, no services are planned. For an expanded obit please view

 

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