Obituary of Richard E. Johansen

Richard Johansen, our dearly beloved father, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2015 in Los Altos. He was 88 years old. He died as he most liked to live, surrounded by the love of his family. Richard is survived by and will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 69 years Madeline Nunes Johansen, his daughter Kaaren Johansen of Morgan Hill and his son Bryan Johansen of Los Altos. Richard was born on December 15, 1926 in Palo Alto, California to William Johansen and Mary Brockway. He grew up in a now forgotten Palo Alto on Oregon Avenue, where their closest neighbor was a half mile away. He attended Palo Alto High School where he met the love of his life, Madeline Nunes. During the Second World War he proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon his release from the military in 1946 he married his high school sweetheart Madeline Nunes. The couple rented a one room tank house in an apricot orchard in Los Altos, before purchasing their home in Los Altos in 1952. They raised their family in their beautiful home and lived there for 65 years. Richard was an Account Manager in the propane business for over 40 years. They built a beautiful cabin in Lake Tahoe in 1959 and spent family vacations there year round. Richard was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and traveling. He was a gentle and good natured man. He was sensitive, kind and generous. He was a strong and honorable man. He was known for his old fashioned values and ethics and was loved and admired by all who knew him. Above all, he was a dedicated family man. His most lasting legacy is the example he set as a loving and devoted husband and father. On Saturday August 8th a mass was held at The All Saints Chapel at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery followed by a private graveside ceremony with full military honors. In memory of Richard, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the staff at The Terraces of Los Altos for their efforts, care, dedication and compassion.




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