DICK Johnson recently passed away but his was a long life, a life well lived, and he died at home surrounded as he would have wished by his family.

From Rathkeale, he came from a family steeped in farming and horses, hunting and all that is good in country life. It was a family with strong veterinary and legal connections. The second of four boys, his elder brother Donal was also a well known veterinary surgeon, heavily involved in the world of show jumping. The legal connections came through his uncle and cousin and namesake, Mr Justice Richard Johnson, who rose to be Chief Justice of Ireland.

Dick for many years held the record as the youngest vet to qualify from Ballsbridge having become a member of the Royal College at the tender age of twenty two. Always well and widely read, he could carry on a well-informed conversation on almost any subject that might arise.

His first posting was in the newly created position of veterinary surgeon to Milford Creamery. This proved a difficult and trying role as he was at the beck and call of all the suppliers of the dairy co-op. He then put up his own plate and set up in general practice in Dromcollogher where he enjoyed considerable success, building a huge practice in both cattle and horses. While very successful, this proved a demanding role with long and many unsocial hours.

In the meantime, he had got married to Kay Toumey and never a man to do things by halves, went on to have no less than seven children. However his wife fell ill and sadly did not recover, but as they say, when God closes one door…he opens another.

In or around the same time a neighbouring and equally sporting dental surgeon Tomas De Wrixon also fell ill and passed away, leaving his wife Margaret and two daughters. Bye and bye Margaret and Dick met up and were lucky enough to find love a second time round and remained happily married until Dick’s recent passing.

It wasn’t the only change in his life around this time. He closed his practice and took a job with the Department of Agriculture working out of the Limerick office with John Powell as SVI.

This change allowed him to return to his first love, horses and hunting. His organizational skills were obvious and he joined the committee of the County Limerick hunt, soon becoming treasurer in a very turbulent time in hunt history. He brought all his diplomatic skills to bear on his role and steered the hunt through some very choppy waters.

However demanding the role, he enjoyed his tenure enormously and was in office when the hunt established Clonshire Equestrian Centre, which has been a great success to this day.

Sadly, Dick did not enjoy robust health in his declining years but was expertly and lovingly cared for at home by Margaret and family aides, as well as by a bevy of professional help.

His funeral mass was celebrated by cousin and neighbour, Mark Patrick Hederman, Abbot Emeritus of Glenstal Abbey, with music being harmoniously provided by a group led by Marian Flavin and Grizelda Willams.

I have no doubt that next season’s opening meet of the Elysian Hunt will have Dick as field master.

To his wife Margaret, Patricia, Barbara, Kathryn, David, Rosemary, Tina and Daniel, and his step-children Susannah and Jessica, sons in law, daughter in law and grandchildren our sympathy.

Men of the calibre of Dick Johnson pass this way but once.

-D.P