Harlow C. Johnson
April 20, 1936-March 30, 2013
Emerald Hills, California
On Saturday, March 30, 2013, Harlow Johnson passed away unexpectedly at his home in Emerald Hills, CA, after living many years with congestive heart failure. Despite his tireless fight to live to the fullest, his symptoms became progressively worse over the past year. But it was his firm belief and life motto to live life to the fullest "one day at a time," and he did just that.
He was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, to Jared L. and Eleanor B. Johnson. He was the second of the three sons, Jared L. III (deceased) and Morton W. who currently lives in Morton Grove, Illinois. Harlow and his brothers were all Eagle Scouts.
He graduated in 1954 from Evanston Township High School and from Northwestern University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1959. His family owned the well-known Chandler?s, a book and office supplier to the local college community of Evanston.
Deciding not to join the family business, he initially accepted a position with Westinghouse. But it was his love of helping others that led him to start a career with New York Life in 1961 in the Evanston, Illinois, office.
In 1970, he moved his family west to Palos Verdes Estates because of his life-long dream to live in California. In 1973, he and his family moved north to Menlo Park, where he joined the New York Life Golden Gate Office and continued building a successful life insurance practice.
On July 1, 1979, Harlow suffered a massive heart attack doing considerable damage to the left ventricle and the electrical system which caused ongoing arrhythmias. He recovered enough to gain permission from his doctor to marry "the love of his life," Anne Lugar, on the front lawn of their home in Menlo Park, CA, on August 12, 1979. They were surrounded by their 6 children who blended into an amazingly compatible family of eight.
They lived in Menlo Park for 24 years and then moved to Emerald Hills, where they have lived for the past 10 years.
Harlow spent 52 years as an agent with the New York Life and enjoyed the last 25 of those years sharing an office with his son and partner, Duncan, a fourth generation NYLIC agent. He continuously achieved the highest levels of accomplishments with NYLIC and enjoyed many Council trips with his "bride" all over the world. He was a consummate student and his love of learning propelled him to pursue the highest professional designations in the life insurance industry. He was a Certified Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Registered Investment advisor, and earned his Masters of Science in Financial Services. He was a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Co-founder of The Chicago Study Group, and a member of The Nautilus Group.
Harlow was an active member of the Rotary Club of Menlo Park, a member of Valley Presbyterian Church of Portola Valley, and a devoted supporter of his brother-in-law, Richard G. Lugar, a U.S. Senator from Indiana for 36 years.
He was passionate about soccer and coached his sons AYSO teams in Menlo Park. Later, his sons coached their own sons' soccer teams and Harlow became their biggest fan. He enjoyed boating, fishing, backpacking and family gatherings. He was passionate about his family, giving them all the love and guidance he felt in his heart. One son wrote: "My thanks to Mom & Harlow for showing me that it is possible to remain together and stay in love for the end of our days. The greatest gift isn't only the love we give, it?s also the love we model for others."
Harlow is survived by his wife, Anne L. Johnson, a brother, Morton W. Johnson, and his children, Michael, Duncan, Robin Johnson Davis, Bruce Macrum and Emily Macrum Ratti. Bruce Johnson passed away April 26, 2012.
He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren: Paul, son of Michael Johnson; Colton Johnson, Clinton, Calvin, and Corey DeForest, sons of the late Bruce Johnson and wife Melody; Jared and Jaime, sons of Duncan and Sidney Johnson; Delaney and Emerson Davis, daughters of Robin and Scott Davis; Quinn and Cate Macrum, son and daughter of Bruce Macrum, MD; and Isabella, Julia and Olivia Ratti, daughters of Emily and Joe Ratti.
He will also be missed by his faithful dogs Mollie and Winnie.
We all loved him so very much and are taking solace in the treasures we still hold ? the memories and evidence of our rich and loving life together. He will be remembered as a gentle, kind man who thought only about how he could help other people. He was a humble man who without seeking recognition sought to help those who needed him.
The family will be holding a memorial service at Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley, on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 3:00 pm. There will be a reception to celebrate Harlow?s life following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Harlow's name to: The American Heart Association https://donate.americanheart.org/ecommerce/donation/acknowledgement_info.jsp;djsessionid=YVUHN50U2IGWACQFCXUS0HQ?campaignId=10&site=Heart&itemId=prod20007
and/or
The Rotary Club of Menlo Park http://www.menloparkrotary.org/OurFoundation.cfm
Tags: business
