[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 125 (Tuesday, September 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DICK JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2009

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay 
tribute to a dear friend and to honor the memory of a great man who 
will long be remembered in Columbus and across the State of Indiana as 
a business and community leader.
  For years, Dick Johnson was regarded as a role model in the business 
community of eastern Indiana. Dick will be remembered for his 
willingness to share in his successes with others; he will undoubtedly 
be missed by his wonderful family, but also all those whose lives he 
touched.
  Dick Johnson was born on November 25, 1932 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to 
Samuel Gideon and Jessie Loomis Johnson. Dick spent his youth in Fort 
Wayne before graduating from the Indiana University School of Business 
in 1955.
  At IU, Dick showed the promise of a young man committed to honesty 
and integrity that would be fulfilled each day of his life. Dick earned 
the nickname ``honest Abe'' and was elected president of his 
fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
  Dick also demonstrated his love for country, completing ROTC training 
and serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957.
  Dick began his business career in 1957 when he purchased a Shell Oil 
distributorship which would become the Johnson Oil Company. Dick's 
business acumen was evident as the company grew and diversified under 
his leadership.
  In 1981, Johnson Oil Company opened its first convenience store in 
Nashville, Indiana. Now the Bigfoot Food Store chain operates more than 
200 locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
  Dick was often recognized for his leadership in the business 
community, serving as President of the Indiana Oil Marketers 
Association and on the National Distributor Council for Shell Oil. He 
was also honored as the 1988 Columbus Small Business Person of the 
Year, the 1994 IU Distinguished Entrepreneur and the 2000 Ernst and 
Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
  Dick Johnson will always be remembered for what he accomplished in 
the business world, but those closest to him also know of a kind-
hearted man with a commitment to his community.
  He chaired the Columbus Front Door Committee and served as the 
president of many organizations over the years including the Columbus 
Chamber of Commerce, the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County, the 
Columbus Economic Development Board, and the Columbus Regional Hospital 
Foundation.
  Dick and his beloved wife Ruth were also significant philanthropists, 
donating to causes such as the Columbus Area Arts Council and the 
Columbus Senior Citizens Center.
  As a proud graduate of Indiana University, Dick was so very proud of 
his founding sponsorship of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and 
Innovation at the Kelley School of Business.
  I first came to know Dick Johnson as a respected competitor of my 
father in the business world. Then, as now, Dick Johnson was admired 
for his devotion to his faith, his family, his business acumen and his 
unblemished reputation for integrity.
  Dick Johnson was a public man who saw business as a means to improve 
his community, his state, his university and his nation.
  To his loving wife Ruth, his children and entire family I offer my 
deepest condolences and prayer that they may be comforted with the 
faith we share.
  Columbus and Indiana have lost a giant and I have lost a cherished 
mentor and friend.

                          ____________________