During the Depression, Robert N. Johnson landed a coveted job of ushering at the Chicago Theatre and often got so swept up in the excitement that he danced up and down the aisles between acts, said family members.
Years later, as owner of an advertising agency, the Barrington Hills man was known to ham it up for colleagues by tap-dancing in elevators.
“He just couldn’t restrain himself. He was a colorful guy, definitely not a stuffed shirt,” said his son, Gregory, who described his father as a showman at heart.
Mr. Johnson, 89, former owner of R.N. Johnson Advertising Agency in Arlington Heights, died Saturday, April 20, in Sunrise Assisted Living in Crystal Lake.
Born and raised in Chicago, he graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1932 and studied painting at the Art Institute of Chicago.
During World War II he joined the Navy and served as a Seabee in the U.S. and South Pacific. While at Camp Pendleton in California, he painted murals that depicted his fellow Seabees at work.
After working as an artist, art director and account executive at a commercial art studio in Chicago, Mr. Johnson established R.N. Johnson Advertising in Chicago in 1950. The agency, now in Arlington Heights, handled accounts primarily in the electronics and tourism industries.
“People gravitated to him. He was so much fun to be around,” his son said.
Mr. Johnson was a “top-notch” account executive, said Jeff Kutchin, vice president of Mr. Travel, a Chicago travel agency that was a long-standing client of Mr. Johnson’s. “He remained even-keeled and never lost his temper, no matter what.”
Mr. Johnson retired in the mid-1980s.
Until recently, Mr. Johnson played golf frequently. He ran 2 miles daily until he turned 87.
Other survivors include his daughter, Janice Verho; a sister, Katherine Nelson; and five grandchildren.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St., Barrington.
