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Rick Johnson - Many of us lost a rare and special friend, and the community a respected and passionate leader when cancer claimed Rick Johnson this week at age 66. Rick finally ended his two and a half year standoff with that wretched disease..but cancer plays dirty, so it prevailed. However, it found a true foe in Rick Johnson, who beat the odds and exceeded doctor's expectations throughout. Rick was born in Evansville, Indiana, and lived a childhood filled with exploration of neighborhood forests and canoe-filled lakes. He terrorized old ladies on his bicycle "Blue Flame," wearing his orange action figure cape-much to his mother's chagrin, as it was her bath mat. Rick moved to NM as an adolescent, became a Jefferson Jet, miraculously stayed out of the pokey, forged decades-long friendships, and is still close to many of his junior high buddies today. He attended Highland High School as a jock-preferring sports and girls to studying, and cars to books...but his quick mind and huge intellect spared him from bad grades and detention-most of the time. At UNM, he pledged Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, knowing it would be a strong academic environment.but then helping him get the most out of his college years in "Animal House" style. He cemented many more strong and lifelong relationships with his Pike brothers. He also began a lifetime love of words-excelling in English, writing, psychology and literature-all of which prepared him for a career in advertising. His first professional job, however was as a banker. He was lifted off the UNM campus by the California Wells Fargo recruiters, and spent his first tenure on the west coast learning economics on the job. He also discovered he had a keen business acumen, management abilities, and a love of numbers-which he eventually parlayed into a graduate degree in banking from the prestigious Wisconsin School Of Banking. Missing Albuquerque, he returned and was lured into advertising to join George Mellekas as Vice President of Mellekas and Associates in the early 70's, but then back into banking by another mentor named George-George Maloof, from whom he learned focus and great business lessons like "less is more." Fulfilling a dream of owning his own business, he formed Rick Johnson and Company in 1977 on a card table in his den. He incorporated in 1979, and over the next few years with his beloved wife and partner, Debbie, went on to build the ad agency into one of the largest and longest-tenured success stories in the region. The agency is now well into its thirty-third year, managed by the second-generation leadership of a trusted and valued management team that has worked side by side with Rick and Debbie for decades, along with an enormously talented and dedicated staff. Rick was a generous and involved member of the non-profit community in ABQ, where he shared his considerable talents, insights and drive. He served as a board member of many organizations, including ACCION, Albuquerque Community Foundation, Explora, Greater ABQ Chamber, Middle Rio Grande Business Education Collaborative, NM First, NMSO, UNM Alumni Association, UNM Foundation, Anderson Schools of Management, YMCA, Youth Development Inc. Rick is remembered among those groups for his wry and gracious humor, his uncanny ability to build consensus from chaos, and his piercing compassion for the causes he served. Often when asked, and more often when intrigued and inspired, he also shared his gifts in service as a committee member for ARCA, New Mexico Business Roundtable for Education, UNM Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Communications & Journalism, and more. Rick was honored by the NMAF as a Silver Medalist, KAFB as an Honorary Commander, UNM Outstanding Alumni and more. He and Debbie received the GACC Maxie Anderson Small Business of the Year, TANM Tourism Professionals of the year, Spirit of Achievement Award from National Jewish Hospital, and the New Mexicans of Vision Award from the YWCA, and NMBW Power Brokers for 11 years running. The agency won over 1500 local, regional and national creative awards in its first 30 years, as well being a charter member of the NM Private 100, and receiving the EMORY award for effective business management from Affiliated Advertising Agencies International. Rick thrived on exercise and the outdoors and was an avid tennis player for years, his favorite hitting partners his adored daughters Lauren and Leslie. In recent years he turned his attention to golf, from which he derived huge joy (and frustration) on courses all over the country. However, he favored his home course, ACC, and his regular treasured Tuesday afternoon group of long-time and dear friends who laughed as hard as they worked on their games. He and Debbie also jogged together every weekend, and prior to his illness spent every weekend for almost three decades on the trails together. He ran eight miles the day before his crushing diagnosis. The Johnsons also loved to travel, and were fortunate to be able to see the world together. Rick had a rare ability for languages, and, in addition to Spanish, spoke enough Chinese and Japanese to get directions to the bathrooms and restaurants. Rick's optimism and creativity carried over into his courage and determination in his attack on cancer, earning him the love and affection of the many close friends and caregivers. Rick and Debbie and the family want to send deep gratitude to the many, many angels who kept us out of cancer's clutches, including personal friends, the amazing, efficient and compassionate medical and nursing staff at UNMCC and UNMH, led by the brilliant Dr. Fa Chyi Lee. We are also indebted to the management team and staff at RJC and appreciative of the folks at Pres Hospice. Rick is survived by his wife, partner and soulmate, Debbie; treasured daughters, Leslie Johnson of ABQ and Lauren Hegna of KC; son-in-law Corey Hegna; grandson Jacob; and granddaughter Emily; His brother Doug; and sister-in-law Ruth Johnson helped provide a foundation of hope and love throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Rick Johnson Memorial Fund at the ABQ Community Foundation, P. O. Box 36960, Albuquerque, 87176. They will be used to support the UNM Cancer Center, UNM Hospital and the Rick and Debbie Johnson Marketing Center at the UNM Anderson Schools of Management. A Memorial Service will be held for Rick on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 10:00 a.m., at the Roy Disney Performing Arts Theatre inside the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th Street NW. Please visit our online guestbook for Rick at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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