Robert R. Johnson

Robert Richard Johnson was called home on 1/21/22, after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Constance Katherine Johnson who was called home on 2/17/21. Bob was born on June 10, 1936, in Kansas City, MO, the only child of the late Bertie (Hughes) and Harold Johnson; step-son of the late Fred Hauser. Bob is survived by his sons Kevin (Roseann), David and Robert (Kathy), step-children, Dr. Edward Manzella (Jodi), Dr. Victor Manzella (Genny), Lisa Chase (Rick), Lynn Decker (Dave), and Dr. John Manzella, Jr. and extended family, Dr. Andrew Wakstein (Peg). He was “Grampa” to his 15 grandchildren: Nichole (Matt), John, Helena (Dan), Marisa (Kirk), Tyler, Danny, Derick, Edward, Lili, Katie, David, Moira, Aidan, Victor and Michael and 6 precious great-grandchildren: Madelyn, Alexandra, Sean, Grayson, Alessandro and Caroline. When his sons were young, Bob was a Cub Master for their troop, scouting was very important to him. He was most proud of his accomplishment in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated cum laude with B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Missouri and an MBA from Rutgers University. Bob worked at Merck Research & Co., Inc. in Rahway, New Jersey and West Point, Pennsylvania. He rose to the title of Director of Automation for the Information Technology Division at Merck and was responsible for automating their many factories in Japan and Europe (including England, Ireland and Italy), and Merck’s many sites in the U.S. including West Point, Pennsylvania. He retired from Merck after 30 years on service in 1997. After retiring from Merck, Bob consulted for Raytheon Engineers, followed by a seven-year consulting position with Wyeth Laboratories, which was followed by a consulting position with Merck in West Point, Pennsylvania. He retired for the last time in January 2014. After he retired for the first time, Connie and Bob made several trips to Europe and the Caribbean; they especially enjoyed their cruises and summer vacations at Cape May. A special trip was taken for their 25th anniversary. They rode the Rocky Mountaineer train across Canada and a cruise to Alaska; that was his favorite trip. One of Bob’s goals in life was helping people to succeed. Mentoring was an important aspect of his life; helping others realize their potential is his legacy. Everyone Bob worked for, worked with, or those who worked for him, have the highest respect for him not only in the capacity of his position, but as a man. He was not only a great man but a really nice guy! Bob was a convert to Catholicism in 1997 and member of Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, and as a committee member and merit badge counselor with Scout Troop 547. After moving to Macungie, he became a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Allentown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 1040 Flexer Ave. Allentown. A calling hour will be held on Tuesday, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. in the Church. Interment will take place at St. John Neuman Cemetery in Chalfont, PA. Condolences may be offered, and his full obituary may be viewed at: www.jsburkholder.com In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the continued care of Grampa’s very special Lili. Checks made payable to: Liliana Decker c/o J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 1601 Hamilton St. Allentown, PA 18102.

Robert R. Johnson

January 21, 2022