Robert D. Johnson, 74, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017 at Sanford Ava's Hospice House.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, December 1, with public Masonic Service beginning at 7:00 pm at Miller Funeral Home-Downtown, 507 S. Main Ave.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Saturday, December 2, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 2707 W. 33rd Street, Sioux Falls, SD with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Robert Dale Johnson, son of Bernard and Irma (Gowling) Johnson, was born April 18, 1943 in Sioux Falls, SD.  He grew up in Sioux Falls graduating from Washington High School in 1961.

He continued his education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Economics.

Robert was united in marriage with Teri Lee Sanders on June 12, 1965 in Mellette, SD.

In February of 1966, Bob was hired as the Director of Public and Professional Relations for South Dakota Blue Shield.  At the time, the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and the South Dakota State Medical Association were under one roof and shared one CEO.  In 1972, it was decided that Blue Shield would separate from the other organizations.  At this time, Bob accepted the position of CEO for the Medical Association, the Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners and the Medical School Endowment Association.

When Bob became CEO there were four staff people.  Since that time, two additional organizations were founded; the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care in 1973, and DAKOTACARE in 1985.  Throughout his tenure, Bob has worked closely with South Dakota's physicians, representing the Association's best interests and positions with the legislature and government agencies, with the allied health organizations and the citizens of our state.  During this time the Association assumed a leadership role in expanding the Medical School to a four-year degree granting program, a vision that became a reality in 1974.

In 1972, the Medical Association had 475 physician members, and by the time Bob retired in 1999, there were 1,578 members including 269 associate (medical students and residents) members.

His family were founding members of Church of the Good Shepherd, and a longtime member of Trinity Lodge #200 F.A.& A.M., and El Riad Shrine.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Teri; a daughter, Julie Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD; two sons, Christopher Johnson, Missoula, MT, Nathan Johnson, Roslyn, SD; five grandchildren, Charlie, Jack, Julia, Nicholas and Benjamin Johnson; a brother, Tom (Arlene) Johnson, San Diego, CA; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Thomas.

Bob's family would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the Sanford Ava's House for the wonderful care, comfort and compassion they gave to Bob and the family to help them all through their journey.