Robert “Bob” William Johnson

Robert (Bob) William Johnson, Lt Col (Retired) USAF, passed from this world to join his Lord and Savior on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the age of 92.

Born June 15, 1931, in Racine, Wisconsin, and raised in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bob graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1949 and attended the Oshkosh State Engineering College before enlisting in the United States Air Force in August of 1951. 

Following primary and basic pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi and Foster AFB, Texas, he attended Officer Training School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in August of 1953. A jet instructor pilot, Bob trained students at Foster AFB, TX, Craig AFB, Alabama, Perrin AFB, TX, and Laredo AFB, TX, until December 1956.

After completing Advanced Flying School training at Perrin AFB, TX, he deployed as an interceptor pilot, flight training officer, and assistant operations officer at Naha AB, Okinawa, Japan (July 1957 - December 1959). Returning stateside, Bob was stationed at ADC Detroit Air Defense Sector on Custer AFB, Michigan (March 1960 - August 1962), and later at Cheyenne AFS, Wyoming (August 1962 - January 1965) while he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming.

From February 1965 to April 1996, Bob was the mechanical engineer responsible for configuration control during the assembly of four Titan III C space launch vehicles and Missile Officer for one Titan III C launch at Patrick AFB, Florida.

Deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand as a flight commander and fighter pilot, he flew 132 aerial combat missions over North Vietnam between October 1966 and June 1967. He returned to the states and became a systems program staff officer for Short-Range Attack Missile and Subsonic Cruise Armed Decoy Programs at Andrews AFB, Maryland (July 1967 - July 1972), before making a final move to Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where he served as Chief of Engineering Support Branch, Chief of Engineering Division-Guided Bombs, Chief of Guns and Rockets Branch, and Assistant Chief of Guns, Rockets and Explosives Division at the Air Force Armament Lab. 

In August 1981, after thirty years of service, Bob retired from the US Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Not content with retirement, Bob pursued several technical training certifications, including building construction, mechanical environmental control systems, and electrical construction, and worked as an electrician and mechanical heating and cooling technician. These skills led him to an active role in the Buildings and Grounds Committee at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar, Florida.

Life-long Christians, Bob and his wife, Nancy, were actively involved in the church congregations at each of their Air Force duty stations. They served on committees, taught Sunday school classes, lead small group bible studies, and sang in choirs.

Family was of the greatest importance to Bob throughout his life. His outdoorsman grandfather taught him to hunt, fish, and work hard at everything he did. He learned gardening, baking, and cooking from his grandmother and mother and kept them supplied with fresh fish. He passed on these traits and skills as he raised his children in a variety of locales.

At the center of his devotion to family was his sweetheart and beloved wife, Nancy (Lewellyn) Johnson, whom he met on a blind date and married on December 27, 1956. They enjoyed sixty-six years together before her passing in October of 2022.

Bob is now in Heaven with his Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ, and reunited with his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Julie Michael; granddaughter, Chase Michael; son-in-law, Joseph Michael; and mother and father. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey and his wife, Shirley; six grandchildren – Miranda, Jake, Dawn, Nathan, Hannah, and Philip; and three great grandchildren – Hayden, Colt, and Carter.

A memorial service celebrating eternal life and a reception will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1 Meigs Drive, Shalimar, Florida, 32579 in December (date and time to be determined).

Memorial gifts may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a living plant or tree that can be a living testament to God’s abiding faithfulness.

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