A Member of the Rusty Zipper Club

When Bob Johnson found his way out to Corbett in 1960, he came from Boise, Idaho and brought along his wife Thola and their six children. Bob says they had all six children before the oldest was even six years old! Finding a beautiful and spacious home with a spectacular view, he and Thola made an offer. The seller said he needed more of a down payment. Heartbroken, Thola said it was the perfect home for their family, so the owner relented, and now Bob still lives in the same home! The kids are grown and gone and Thola has passed, but Bob says he stays because he has grown attached not only to the home, but to the folks of the community who are now some of his very dearest friends. Born in 1925, Bob grew up in Montana, and went to work for the Northern Pacific RR part-time when he was just 16 years old. He was following in his father's footsteps, but soon realized that it was "not for him." He then began college at the Univ. of Minnesota, studying to be an engineer. Soon after, he realized that this also was "not for him."  After meeting with a vocational guidance counselor, he was steered into getting educated for a career that had never even crossed his mind. Bob spent his entire working career as an editor for different newspapers, including 30 years at The Oregonian. He says that the decision was without any regret, as he had great success and truly loved what he was able to do for a living. Although he retired in 1990 and his poor eyesight has worsened over the years, he still continues to read on a daily basis. He says that he mostly reads magazines now so he can easily pick and choose the articles he wants to read. Once the president of the Boy Scouts for the area, son Jared became an Eagle Scout. Bob has been involved in various roles over the years in the community, and continues to be a Grange member, a member of the "Rusty Zipper" breakfast group that meets weekly, a member of the Springdale School Association and is currently in charge of making the "secret sauce" for the big fundraising spaghetti dinner being held next week for the Springdale School!