Robert N. Johnson

Robert N. (Bob) Johnson, age 94, Lt Colonel, US Army Retired, of Bluewater Bay, FL passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday July 31, 2022 with his beloved wife of 70 years, Maria, at his side.

Bob Johnson was raised in East Northport, New York and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York.  Graduating from high school before the age of 16, he worked days and attended college at night until he was old enough to join the Army.  The end of WWII found him with the Infantry in Austria and, after a short break in service, he reenlisted in 1948 and was sent to Germany where he was awarded a direct commission as a 2nd Lt.  It was there that he met and married his wife, Maria.  Together they served in Germany, Japan and France, and several stateside assignments.  Maria also waited with the children in Indianapolis, Indiana while Bob served two tours in Korea.  An Army trained Korean linguist, Bob was Chief Interpreter for the United Nations Armistice Commission at Panmunjom, Korea during the negotiations with the North Koreans for the return of the USS Pueblo and it’s 80-man US Navy crew, which was illegally seized and held for 11 months in 1968.  Bob also spoke fluent German which influenced several of his other assignments including four years in HQ, Allied Forces Central Europe in France.  He was twice awarded the Legion of Merit among several other military decorations.  During his last few years in the military and for the next 14 years, Bob became a Vocational Educator at Fort Benjamin Harrison specializing in, and attained a reputation for, the design of tests which measured both student performance and teacher success in bringing their students to the required level of competency.  

Bob (known affectionately as “Johnny” to Maria and his very close friends) and Maria retired to Bluewater Bay, Florida -- where Maria was the popular bridge instructor at NW Florida State College -- and together they enjoyed many years of retirement with family and friends.

Bob Johnson was a devoted husband to his beloved Maria, loved his family, and enjoyed with them golfing, fishing, college football, and playing card games of any kind (his specialties being gin rummy and poker).  

Robert N. Johnson is survived by Maria E. Johnson, their two sons Mark (Jennifer) and Kyle (Alice), and his grandchildren Lauren, Haley, Eric, and Douglas.

Expressions of regret may be directed to Maria at their home of 36 years in Bluewater Bay.

Military Services will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, September 19, 2022 at 2:00p.   In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations may be directed to the Veterans Administration.