MUNDELEIN, IL – Richard (Rick) B. Johnson, formerly of Mundelein IL, passed away at age 69 on April 24th, 2025, after a brief illness. Rick was the son of Richard and Lillian Johnson. He graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Illinois and an M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin. He was an archaeologist, primarily in northern Illinois and Wisconsin, a career that could trace its beginnings to when Rick searched for arrowheads in the fields around Mundelein as a boy.
Rick was an endlessly curious, life-long learner who loved science and the natural world. He was widely read and could talk to anyone about anything. He enjoyed researching, hiking, camping, traveling, gardening with native plants, playing guitar and cooking, preferably Mexican.
Rick will be missed beyond words by his loving wife Susan Kelley, his sisters Jeanette Keogh and husband, Bill, and Mary Adams and husband, Tom. Also missing Rick are Susan’s sisters, Robin Griggs and husband, David, and Marihonor Flagg and husband, Gary, and Susan’s daughter, Joanna Ryals and husband, Gary, and their children Morgan and Mitch. Rick also will be deeply missed by his many friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 6th, 2025, at Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. The visitation will begin at 2 p.m., with a memorial service following at 4 p.m. Burial will be at Ivanhoe Cemetery in Mundelein at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Rick’s name to Mass Audubon, a New England nature-based conservation organization. www.forastiere.com
