Dr. Robert Johnson, left, with Blaine Pieper, CEO of the Ohio County Hospital, when Johnson last visited Ohio County in early June. (Photo courtesy of the Ohio County Hospital)
HARTFORD, Ky. — Ohio County mourns the loss of its “country doctor,” as Dr. Robert “Bob” Johnson passed away last Wednesday in Florida.
Johnson was born in Louisville, Ky., but raised in Owensboro, Ky., before joining the military to fight in the Korean War.
According to CeCe Robinson with the Ohio County Hospital, during Johnson’s last visit to Ohio County several weeks ago, he said his time serving as a medic in the Korean War inspired him to enter the field of medicine.
Johnston returned to Owensboro after his service and graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Johnston came to Ohio County in 1964 to start his general practice.
Johnson liked to refer to himself as a “country doctor” and that “country doctor” delivered over 1,000 babies during his 29 years of practice in Ohio County. His practice provided quality care to families no matter where he practiced.
Johnson received many honors during his years of practice including being named “Kentucky Doctor of the Year” by the Kentucky Academy of Family Medicine in 1982. He was one of the 10 national finalists for Good Housekeeping Magazine’s national award for “Family Doctor of the Year,” also in 1982.
Johnson also reached out to the world at large with his practice by writing medical columns for magazines such as Woman’s World, Outdoor Life and Total Fitness. In 1982, he published a book, “Stay Well,” in which he shared his prescription for healthy living and well-being.
Johnson recently wrote his autobiography, “The Calling.” He was in Ohio County a few weeks ago, signing and discussing his book at the Beaver Dam Farmers Market and the Ohio County Artist Guild House.
In the early 1990’s, Johnson, and his wife, Betty, a registered nurse, were part of a project to build a public pool in Ohio County. The project grew from just a pool into what is now known as the Family Wellness Center. The FWC fulfilled a dream for the Johnsons, of Ohio County having a facility where families could gather and take part in healthy activities including that swimming pool.
Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston, who worked with Johnson to bring the FWC to reality said, “I don’t know that we’d have ever had a wellness center if it wasn’t for Dr. Johnson.”
After 25 years, Johnson closed his practice and entered into the field of emergency medicine at hospitals in Ohio County and Owensboro. Upon retiring in 2005, the Ohio County Hospital named its emergency department after him for his years of service.
After retirement, the Johnsons became medical missionaries to Haiti. The couple founded a medical and evangelical mission called Missions of Love and operated a permanent medical clinic in the tiny village of Jolivert, about 140 miles north of Port-Au-Prince.
When asked about his thoughts on the passing of Johnson, Johnston summed up the thoughts of many.
“He meant a lot to Ohio County.”
To view Dr. Robert Johnson’s obituary, click here.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to “Missions of Love ” P.O. Box 292 Hartford, KY 42347.