Bob Johnson, our senior director, passed away on 9th November after a short illness. He will be sadly missed by everyone at the company. Nottingham Cattle Market is renowned within the county and beyond and Bob Johnson was the man whose name was associated with it above all others.
Bob was born in Peel St, Nottingham in 1937 and his early childhood coincided with the 1939 – 45 war.
His father served in the Green Howards regiment and was tragically killed in action in Sicily in 1940 when Bob was just 3 years of age.
He attended Bramcote Hall School and then Worksop College but spent the school holidays in Sussex and Dumfrieshire.
Possibly the happiest times of his teenage years were the holidays he spent living in the wing of a large country house, Cardoness House in Gatehouse of Fleet in south west Scotland. He and his brother would go out early in the morning with the gamekeeper and return late in the afternoon. He loved the freedom of the countryside and it was this period of his life when he developed his passion for shooting. He was a fine marksman who later went on to compete at Bisley.
He trained as an agricultural auctioneer and valuer at Lewes in Sussex and having passed his exams returned to Nottingham in 1959 to join his uncle Jack in the family firm.
Jack Johnson sold his interest in Arthur Johnson and Sons to Bob in 1965. In those days the major source of income for the firm was livestock sales, and an early crisis he had to deal with was the foot and mouth epidemic of 1967 which forced the closure of the livestock market for several months.
In 1969 Arthur Johnson and Sons amalgamated with Turner, Fletcher and Essex. Bob still ran the cattle market and he also managed the Turner, Fletcher and Essex estate agency office at Bingham. At the same time he continued with his agricultural valuation work.
He was also very much involved with the Nottinghamshire Pedigree Pig Breeders Association.
In 1979 Arthur Johnson and Sons introduced antique auctions to the cattle market for the first time. It became a time of rapid expansion.
In 1995 Arthur Johnson and Sons de-merged from Turner, Fletcher and Essex and the company continued its growth.
In his retirement Bob’s garden was his pride and joy, and he also enjoyed golf in his later years becoming a member of Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club.
He was a great family man and was devoted to his wife Mita, his children Sally, David, Jean and Michael and all his grandchildren.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep on 9th November aged 74.
Phil Poyser, managing director of Arthur Johnson and Sons, paid tribute to Bob.
“Bob was the father figure of the firm. The ethos of the firm, that you can run a successful business with honesty and integrity, was set by him.
Everyone who worked with and for Bob had an enormous amount of respect and affection for him. He was a true gentleman.
He was extremely proud of the way the company has developed over the years and particularly the reputation it has gained.
In his retirement he maintained an active interest in the firm and would invariably visit us on a Friday morning to have a look at the salerooms.
He was proud of all the staff and was very appreciative of their loyalty.
We have all lost a good friend and mentor but his legacy lives on in the continued success of Arthur Johnson and Sons.
Our thoughts and sympathy go to Bob’s wife Mita and to all his family.”
Bob’s family have asked that the video featuring Bob on this website should remain available for everyone to view.
A service of Thanksgiving will be held at 11.45 am on Monday 21 November at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe-on-Trent. Family flowers only. Any donations to Mission Aviation Fellowship or Macmillan Cancer Support
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