Robert "Bob" Berrett Johnson

It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert ‘Bob’ Berrett Johnson announce his recent passing. Bob passed away Saturday, May 13th, 2023 at his son’s home in Kuna, Idaho and was (99) years and (10) months old. Cause of death was congestive heart failure and old age. Bob was born July 12th, 1923 in Rexburg, Madison County, ID. His father was John Nephi Johnson, his mother was Jennie Berrett and Bob was the only child of this union. His birth took place in his maternal grandparents, Fred and Rose Berrett’s, front bedroom in that Upper Snake River Valley community. Bob’s father’s occupation was that of a finish carpenter in San Francisco, CA. He was a life-long member of the San Francisco Carpenter’s Union. Bob’s mother was a housewife staying with her parents.

Bob’s parents divorced not-long after his birth and his father returned to San Francisco and Bob stayed with his mother in Rexburg, ID. The family moved to Camas, Hamer and Idaho Falls, ID. Bob’s early years were spent during the Great Depression and Bob often recounted how extremely hard those years were. He recalled that his mother would use the bran that the government gave out to feed the cows, to make bread for them to eat. Bob’s mother married a second time to Ellsworth Vermont Hoffman in Blackfoot, ID. He was known as ‘Pat’ and he and Jenny had two children born to them, Bob’s half-sisters: Barbara Anne and DeEsta. At the time of his marriage to Jenny, Pat had four children: Ted, the oldest was (6) years older than Bob. Then, Ella, Margie and Bea, who all became step-sisters and step-brother to Bob.

Bob graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1942. He then spent a year at Idaho State College in Pocatello, ID. Because he had reported high school news to the paper, that following summer he was able to get a job with the Post Register in Idaho Falls as a reporter. Bob recalled, “I did accomplish and that I believe was one of the most important events of my life: I went down to the Post Register to see if I could do some reporting for them. I spoke with Clyde Smith the News Editor. He told me to come back the next day and he might be able to tell me if they could use me. So, I went back, but Clyde was busy and couldn’t see me. The paper was just going to press. I didn’t have anywhere else to be, so I just sat down and helped proof-read the edition. When the paper was on the press, Clyde took me into the Managing Editor’s office and told me I could have the job. He wanted me to take over the sports desk. It was my first permanent job.”

In 1947, Bob went to the University of Montana in Missoula, MT to study journalism. After graduation, Bob left Montana to go to the cabin his mother Jenny had purchased down the Salmon River just below Shoup, ID. Bob had taken the physical examination for both the US Army and the Navy. But, the doctors failed him from enlisting in the US Military due to a chronic endocarditis. After about a year down the Salmon River at the cabin, Bob went back to the Post Register and was put on a desk job. Bob once told me that a job is something which enables one to borrow money in which to live.

Bob married twice, the first time to Gail Jean Bateman and they had (2) children, Rene Johnson and Steven Michael Johnson. The second marriage was to Gayle Karleen Detrick and they had a son, Gregory Berrett Johnson. In 1963, Bob, Gail and family moved from Salt Lake City, UT to Salmon, ID where Bob would spend a year as a free-lance writer. In 1964, Bob was hired as editor of the Salmon paper, the Recorder Herald and he retired in 1984.  

All of Bob’s life, his greatest passion was reading and his love of books. He had joined The Book of the Month Club when he was (16) years old. Until the day that he died, he would read two or three books a week. Bob also loved Latin American music. He had actually attended Arthur Murray Studios in San Francisco, CA when visiting his father as a young man. He learned to dance to a Cha-cha, Tango, Rhumba and the Samba.

Bob was predeceased by his mother Jennie Berrett Brown, his father, John Nephi Johnson, his first wife, Gail Jean Bateman Johnson, his second wife, Gayle Karleen Detrick Johnson, his oldest son, Steven Michael Johnson, and his two half-sisters Barbara Poynor and DeEsta Wellborn.  Bob is survived by his daughter, Rene Johnson Toman of Red Rock, AZ; his son, Gregory Berrett (Angie) Johnson of Kuna, ID and, a step-daughter Theresa Clearman, of Helena, MT. Bob leaves behind (7) grandchildren and (3) great-grandchildren.

Robert ‘Bob’ Berrett Johnson was truly a great man whose impact will be forever felt by his family that has loved him dearly for many years. He was a selfless man whose passing has left an unfillable gap in the hearts of his loved ones and all his dear friends. His ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive and love will be forever engrained in all who knew or met him.

At the request of Bob, no services will be held.