Robert "Bob" Johnson

JOHNSON, Robert "Bob" Eugene, age 91, of Centerville, Ohio, passed on to his next adventure unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. He left this world in the peaceful presence of his wife, Diane. Bob graduated from Shelbyville High School in Shelbyville, Indiana in 1948 where he met his first love, Anne Francis Walker. They married in 1952 after finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Rose PolyInstitute of Technology (now Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) in Terre Haute, IN. He also received his Professional Engineering (PE) certification. Bob was very proud to serve his country in Korea as an Army First Lieutenant of the Third Division of the Military Railway Service (3D MRS). He returned to a job in Dayton, Ohio after 18 months and started his engineering career at Delco Products division of General Motors from 1952 until his retirement in 1986. His great career accomplishment was in advancing electrical componentry. He was a devoted member of the Engineers Club of Dayton for more than 50 years and he was a founding member of the “Barn Gang.” Bob was a member of the NRA as an advocate for the 2nd Amendment but most of all for responsible gun ownership. Over their wonderful 55-year marriage, Bob and Anne enjoyed many vacations to Myrtle Beach, SC and local travel collecting Heisey glass and antique shopping. They also explored the ancestral roots of theirs and other families as a hobby. Together, they published several books on cemetery and church records for genealogical reference. They were dedicated members of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Bob was a loving and devoted husband until Anne's passing in 2008. He mourned her loss tremendously. In late 2009, Bob met the second love of his life, Diane (Meyer) Buchanan, who was also a recent widow. They were both members of the Engineers Club Barn Gang and first romanced over Dayton Philharmonic concerts and bougie dinners by candlelight. The fire ignited and from there Bob and Diane began their second life, contrasted from his first by nightly social engagements, dancing and making many new very close friends. They fell in love and married in 2012-at the Engineer's Club! Bob’s easy-going disposition, positive life perspective and his love for Diane won the hearts of her family who embraced Bob unequivocally and welcomed him into the “Buchanan Clan”! Their social life exploded and their dance card was full as they engaged in ballroom dancing and travel with Arthur Murray and James Free friends. Their whirlwind of worldwide travel took them to Australia, the Panama Canal, Bali, Spain, Venice, Italy (several times), France, multiple Caribbean Cruises and multiple family vacations to the Outer Banks. Philanthropy and community service became part of their core as they established, dedicated and erected the Abraham Lincoln monument in the city of Dayton at the Courthouse Plaza. An additional sculpture was later dedicated at the Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center. They were also proud donors to the Rose-Hulman Chauncey Rose Society as Bob, Anne and Diane wholeheartedly believed in education as the best investment in any person’s future! Bob was true to his Rose-Hulman alma mater and loved wearing his plaid jacket. Bob also enjoyed boating with his family, Rose-Hulman homecomings with Cate and Diane, sitting in his garden with his wife, playing online solitaire while watching his family swim (not his cup of tea!), chatting with his best buddies, Kevin and Jack on a Friday night around a fire with a good cigar and a few drinks, teaching his "grand children" about safe gun operation and cleaning, all dogs and cats especially his late cocker spaniels “Amber” and “Cleo” (passed 2010), and Dewar's Scotch!

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Lee Johnson (d. 1936), Stepfather and "father-of-influence," Walter Edward McCartney (d. 1952), mother Gladys Naomi (Hack) Johnson (d. 1986), first wife, Anne Francis Johnson (nee Walker)(d. 2008), and his "adopted" son-in law, Jeffrey Thomas Weller (d. 2021). Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Jeanette Buchanan Johnson (nee Meyer)-wife of 10 years (2012-2022), nephews, R. Craig (Maren) Walker, Richard (Suzanne) Walker, three grand nieces, Elizabeth Latta, Cate (Dave) Dragani, Sarah Walker (Marcus Camacho), and many great nieces and nephews; “adopted children” Christine Buchanan Weller, Kevin (Julie) Buchanan and “adopted grandchildren” Jack, Colleen, Luke & Rachel.

Family visitation will be held on Friday, September 2 from 4-6 pm at Routsong Funeral Home-CENTERVILLE CHAPEL located at 81 N Main St. Centerville, Ohio 45459. Services celebrating Bob's life will be held Saturday, September 3 from 9:45am at Routsong Funeral Home-CENTERVILLE CHAPEL located at 81 N Main St. Centerville, Ohio 45459 followed by a short graveside service at David Cemetery 4600 Mad River Rd. Dayton, Ohio 45429. All who knew and loved Bob and/ or his family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s name to the Engineer’s Club of Dayton -110 E Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402 or, because of his longstanding commitment to the education of all, Khan Academy whose mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere- khan academy.org or Khan Academy P.O. Box 1630Mountain View, CA 94042-1630.