Samuel C. Johnson, the businessman, philanthropist and environmentalist known affectionately as “Sam,” died quietly at his home in Racine, Wisconsin, on May 22, 2004. An internationally respected business leader, Mr. Johnson believed “business should serve a higher purpose in life” and advocated corporate practices that valued people as much as profits.

A native of Racine, Mr. Johnson became chairman of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. in 1967 and turned a small wax company started by his great grandfather into four global companies employing more than 28,000 people. The fourth generation of his family to lead the family business, Johnson observed that “every generation must bring something new” to the enterprise. He brought diversification, globalization and a large amount of determination. By the time he retired in 2000, he had increased the business 40 times over with such well-known brands as Glade, Raid, Pledge, Edge, Windex and Ziploc. The company’s institutional cleaning and chemical products business became JohnsonDiversey. Mr. Johnson also expanded into financial services with the Johnson Financial Group and into outdoor recreation products with Johnson Outdoors Inc.

Mr. Johnson pioneered family-friendly policies that earned his businesses around the world “best place to work” recognition. He was a constant proponent for strong corporate ethics and a farsighted advocate for clean environmental policies. In a much-heralded 1975 decision, Mr. Johnson removed chlorofluorocarbon propellants from his company’s products three years before the government required it. Such foresight led to his induction into the U.S. National Business Hall of Fame by Fortune magazine, which called him “corporate America’s leading environmentalist.”

As his business holdings multiplied, so did his philanthropy. Mr. Johnson gave generously, particularly in the areas of environment, education, medicine, and the arts. His belief that “every place should be a better place because we are there” also led him to champion initiatives to revitalize Racine, home to his family and businesses for more than a century. He was instrumental in efforts to rebuild downtown, provide affordable low-cost housing opportunities and improve local schools and neighborhoods.

He served on many of the civic and charitable boards to which he gave, including the Mayo Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, the Smithsonian Institution, the Johnson Foundation, Cornell University, The Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell, Prairie School and many Racine organizations. Mr. Johnson was named in 1993 to the U.S. President’s Council on Sustainable Development.

In 2000, Mr. Johnson produced a moving documentary film entitled, “Carnauba, A Son’s Memoir,” in which he told the story of retracing his father’s 1935 expedition to Brazil in search of the carnauba palm. Mr. Johnson’s honesty in the film about his alcoholism and his relationship with his father produced an outpouring of appreciation from alcohol treatment centers, family business organizations and the general public.

Mr. Johnson received many awards over his lifetime, including seven honorary doctorates and over 50 other honors. Among those honors are the United Nation’s Lifetime Environmental Stewardship Award, the Charles A. Lindbergh Award for contributions furthering the balance between technology and the environment and the Freedom of Flight Award from the Experimental Aircraft Association. Mr. Johnson was also awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan, the Silver Medal of Paris by Jacques Chirac and the Order of the Civil Merit by the King of Spain.

Mr. Johnson earned degrees from Cornell and Harvard Business School and served for two years as an U.S. Air Force intelligence officer.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of fifty years, Imogene (Powers), their four children – Curt, Helen, Fisk and Winnie and their spouses; twelve grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; his sister, Karen Boyd; his cousin, Dr. Timothy Louis; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to The Prairie School in Racine. A memorial service will be held at the A.F. Siebert Chapel at Carthage College on Thursday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m.