Bruce Dierking
Leonard was key to getting our business, Hazel’s Beverage World, off the ground, as he was an early believer who talked up our business idea to many others, helping us to network and raise the funds we needed to launch the store.
I will never forget the time as a young lawyer at Hutchinson Black and Cook when I was sent to attend a client meeting in place of the partner who was supposed to go but who was called away at the last minute. I was told that the client’s CPA named Leonard Johnson would be there too, and so I should just agree with everything Leonard said and otherwise not say too much. It was good advice, and the meeting went off without a hitch. But to my surprise, this older, wiser, highly respected CPA took the time to take me out for a cup of coffee after the meeting and get to know me. I was a 29-year-old nobody fresh out of law school, but he took an interest in getting to know me anyway, and we became fast friends. In later years, Leonard also took an interest in my son, George, because of his love for classic cars and hired him as an intern during high school to work at the garage where Leonard kept his car collection.
Leonard was an exceptionally kind, positive, optimistic, and generous man. He was a trusted advisor and loyal friend and partner. He had a positive impact on my life I will never forget and for which I will be forever grateful.