Obituary of Dr. Alvord E. Johnson

Alvord E. Johnson

12-16-1930 to 5-17-2023

 

Alvord Edwin Johnson, age 92, passed away at his home on May 17, 2023

after a courageous battle with cancer.

 

Al was born in Portland Oregon to Alvord Johnson and Racquel Diane Becquet.

 

He attended Lincoln High School in Portland where he met the love of his life, Beverly Ann Stroope.  They were married for 68 years when she passed away in 2020.  Together they shared many adventures, including 25 boating trips to Vancouver Island in Canada, a trip to Alaska in their sailboat, and RVing to Mexico and Arizona.

 

Al is survived by his three daughters:  Pam Conner, Judy Lamb (Mike), Susan Johnson (Doug), 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

 

After high school, Al attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland.  As a National Guard member, he was called up to serve and he spent 19 months in the Air Force in Alaska after his second year of college.

 

After finishing college, Al attended OHSU School of Dentistry.  Excelling in his courses, he graduated first in his class in 1958.  When he went looking for a place to start his dental practice, Washougal was the obvious choice.  With the Columbia River for boating and the Washougal River for fishing, it was the perfect fit.  In Washougal, Al owned and practiced general dentistry at his own private practice from 1958 to 1990.

 

Affectionally known as “Grandpa River”, Al loved the water and boating. Once asked if he had ever been to Yellow Stone National Park he answered, “can you get there by water?”

 

Al’s love for boating began at an early age.  He had a small sail boat in his teens and sailed it on the Willamette River near downtown Portland.  And he owned boats until he was in his late 80’s.  He was a US Power Squadron Life member, serving over 25 years.  He was a past Power Squadron Commander and taught boating classes in Seamanship, Sail, Knots, Piloting, Navigation, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics and Weather.  After retiring, Al took up wood turning and enjoyed giving this works of art to his friends and family.

 

In recent years he enjoyed watching old musicals, doing jigsaw puzzles and watching the Washougal River flow by outside his window.

 

He would be the first to tell you that his life had been blessed beyond measure.  His family will greatly miss him, but are happy knowing he is reunited with his “Bevy” and sailing together again.

 

 

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