Earl Robert Johnston III

July 1, 1963 - May 15, 2022

Johnston, Earl R. III Beloved husband, father, son and brother passed away May 15, 2022, aged 58. He was a Plymouth resident. Earl was a leader in the Mpls business communications, public relations & advertising communities. He held leadership roles with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, US Bank Piper Jaffray, Thrivent Financial and most recently UnitedHealthcare. He also taught and mentored hundreds of students at the U of MN Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, and this role became his joyful passion. Earl's unquestioned integrity was born of his deep faith, which sustained him during his difficult cancer journey. He enjoyed participating in faith communities at Mount Calvary Lutheran and Central Lutheran. Earl was an avid cyclist, riding thousands of miles a year, including more than a decade of the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). He enjoyed golf, weekend drives with the Z4 top down and traveling. He enthusiastically followed the Vikings, the Iowa Hawkeyes, college & pro hockey and NASCAR. His absolute favorite activity was spending time with his daughters and sons-in-law, including annual trips to the North Shore. Survived by adoring wife of 35 years, Brenda; daughters Madison Johnston (George Shardlow) and Waverly (Jordan) Konynenbelt; granddaughter Junia Shardlow (born four days after Earl's passing); parents Earl II and Gail Johnston; sisters Jennifer Cohen and Jackie Johnson, nieces and nephews; many students and friends. Funeral service and visitation pending. Memorials appreciated for U of MN Scholarship in Earl's name at: crowdfund.umn.edu/... Washburn-McReavy.com Glen Haven Chapel 763-533-8643