Robert Keith Johnson

Robert “Keith” Johnson 1932-2023 Robert Keith Johnson, 91, of Bloomington IN passed away peacefully at his home on the evening of November 27th. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Roberta Johnson, brother Dale Johnson, sister Billie Johnson, and wife Doris Johnson. He is survived by his daughter Joyce Johnson Porvaznik and husband Dr. Michael Porvaznik, son Nels Johnson and wife Janet Donnell Johnson, and grandson David Porvaznik and wife Brittany Nelson. Born in 1932 to a traveling Baptist preacher, his family eventually settled in East Chicago, IN where he was an accomplished track and cross-country runner. He qualified for the state finals and placed 3rd in the state at the mile distance. He also met the love of his life during these years. He married his high school sweetheart Doris Jean Trueblood shortly after graduation and this partnership endured for over 70 years until Doris passed in 2022. He worked briefly at Blythe’s Sport Shop in Griffith IN (where they resided most of their working years), before being hired at Inland Steel where he worked most of his career. He somehow ended up working in their computer department at the dawn of the technology revolution, back when mainframe computers were controlled by punch cards. He took to this work immediately, and in spite of having only a high school diploma, he rose through the ranks and became the head of purchasing for the entire IT department of a multi-state corporation. As computers became more autonomous and ubiquitous, he survived several downsizings. His final project was a complete reorganization whereby he and many of his co-workers accepted early retirement packages. Keith was active in his churches, serving as choir director at Griffith Baptist Church and Elder at Suburban Bible Church in Highland, and was also a featured soloist with a fine tenor voice. Always an avid golfer, upon retirement at age 59, he and Doris moved to Eagle Pointe in Bloomington where their new condo abutted the 4th hole of the golf course he played nearly every day. He quickly began his retirement job as a ranger and golf shop attendant at Eagle Pointe. He also had an informal side business selling the golf balls he found on his frequent walks. For years you could go into his garage and ask for virtually any brand of popular golf ball. He would know exactly which shelf to search and he’d pull out a dozen in pristine condition in an egg carton. He also sold these through the clubhouse, which meant his friends and family rarely if ever had to pay for their rounds of golf with him. This was also a period when his love of travel blossomed. He assumed the role of amateur travel agent for his close-knit group of travel companions. Keith arranged multiple trips to Europe (especially Switzerland), as well as cruise travel that included transatlantic passage and European barge tours. In 2017 as his wife lost some mobility, they moved into a cottage at the Red Rabbit Inn, owned by his daughter Joyce and her husband Dr. P. The three of them proceeded to care for Doris over her last years and helped keep her quality of life at a high level until nearly the end, and Keith never wavered in his love for his partner. After Doris passed, Keith moved to Meadowood Retirement Community early in 2022. He immediately fit in and formed a whole new tribe of friends with whom he had dinners, happy hours, bridge games, exercise classes and more. He also frequently attended IU sporting events, operas and plays with his Meadowood crew. While his cancer slowed him down recently, he never stopped enjoying life. Just a week before he passed, he still managed to get to Assembly Hall and see one last IU women’s game in person. He was a true Hoosier until the very end. Shortly after he passed, one of the Meadowood residents was asked if she knew Keith Johnson. Her reply? She smiled and said, “Everybody knew Keith Johnson.” In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Indiana University School of Music. The Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Meadowood. Please visit allencares.com to leave condolences, view a photo album, and see updates on the date of the gathering.

Tributes

Robert Keith Johnson

February 22, 1932 - November 27, 2023