“Let me tell you something…!” followed by a very important life lesson, was the trademark saying from the man we called Pop & Poppa, to most who called him Boxy, and to those very special few that called him The Box.

Robert Helge Johnson was reunited with his beautiful bride, Irene, on November 8, 2023. He’s currently sweeping her off her feet as they dance to Kenney Rogers “Through the Years,” with his parents, Helge & Margaret Johnson, and his loving sisters, Dorothy (Betty) Waterman and Joanne Nord, nearby. Along with his admiring family, many close friends that passed before him are up on their feet, and in true Boxy style he has them all dancing. To keep the love, laughter and dancing going here on Earth, he is survived by his older brother, Edward Johnson, and has left his legacy to his three sons, three daughters-in-law, two daughters and two sons-in-law, 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a bonus of innumerable friends.

Boxy was many things in his life. Besides being a remarkable husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was a corporal Army veteran and a barge captain/superintendent.

Some may wonder where he got his nickname “Boxy.” Robert is of 100% Swedish descent and if you ask his brother, he would say its short for “Boxhead.” But as years passed, Robert was known for always standing up for the “little guy.” Whether it was in Germany or on the docks in the states, it didn’t matter the color or creed, if someone was hurting another human being unjustly, Robert stepped in and provided a “1-2” life lesson to the oppressor — and because of those moments he will always be remembered as Boxy!

Pop was adamant about not having a celebration of life but if you knew him, he loved to BBQ, so we’re having a Boxy’s BBQ November 18 at 1 p.m. Come with stories, come with a zest for life, come with your dancing shoes and come with love in your heart for the man we called Pop/Boxy/The Box!