Robert Victor Johnson of Saratoga, WY, passed away on December 28, 2023. Bob was 83 years old and the beloved husband of G. Glee Johnson for 62 years. They were married on May 13, 1961, at St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church in Laramie, WY.
Bob was born June 12, 1940, in Cripple Creek, CO then moved to Laramie in 1942 at the age of one and a half. He attended Stanton Elementary, St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic School and Laramie High School where he was a Plainsmen grappler. Bob received a National Honor Society scholarship to attend the University of Wyoming where he earned a BA (1961) and a MA (1969) in education. He was inducted into the Education Honorary Phi Delta Kappa in 1969.
Mr. Johnson began his career as a teacher/educator in Kemmerer, WY, teaching junior high math and science and high school math. He moved to Rawlins, WY, in 1965 to teach primarily in a junior high/middle school setting. Over his 43-year career, he spent 22 years teaching math and science, as well as a few other subjects, and 21 years in administration as a vice-principal and principal. Coach Johnson started the wrestling programs in both Kemmerer and Rawlins and was often hailed by former wrestlers all over Wyoming to the shouts of “Hey there Coach!”.
An avid hunter (“especially of elk”), Bob will also be deeply missed by his Elk Camp buddies; especially his closest and dearest partner-in-crime Brad Bohlender, Brad’s son Brett Bohlender, Alec Shea, Cory Yingling, and the many others who joined their ranks for the season.
Bob also loved walking with his furry sidekick, Loki (clocking 119 miles in November) and, for 27 years in a row, running the Bolder Boulder with his granddaughters - he placed fourth in his age group this year running the 10k in 78:35 to beat his age and earn the “Ageless Wonder” tee shirt. He hiked many local miles, kayaked/floated almost the entirety of the Platte River in Carbon County. He cross country skied and biked more miles than those who were half his age. He was also known to enjoy fishing, playing bridge and, as he said, babysitting his granddaughter, Juniper. As a Wyoming Cowboys football fan, Bob enjoyed watching games with his daughter Jennifer. In past years, Glee and Bob square danced with the Rawlins/Sinclair Promenaders club and also served as co-presidents of the club. They enjoyed attending the national square dance convention in Salt Lake City, UT, with friends Helen and Carl Larsen.
Bob participated in many organizations including the Early Bird Toastmasters and Elks Lodge of Rawlins and was a long-time member of the esteemed educator associations NEA, WEA, and CCDOTEA, where he served as president. As a devoted, lifelong Catholic, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed participating in all of the Knights of Columbus activities - especially, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.
Bob is survived by his wife that he deeply adored and will be dearly missed by her. He is also survived by his oldest son Howard (Katie) Johnson, granddaughters Katelynn (Austin) Blasi and Katherine Johnson; his youngest son Guy (Nancy Julius) Johnson; his oldest daughter Synve (James) Mitchell, grandson MacKinzie (Stacia Slowey) Mitchell and granddaughter Madisen (Chan Weller, Jr.) Mitchell, and great-grandson Guy Mitchell; and, his youngest daughter Jennifer (Dusty Schell) Johnson and granddaughter Juniper Condict. He was preceded in death by his father (Oren Johnson), mother (Marcella “Pat” Johnson) and sister (Marlys “Tyke” Capson).
Services will be announced at a later date as Bob would have wanted safe travels for all his family and friends. Memorial Donations may be made in his name to St. Jude’s, Sandy Hook Promise, and http://www.saratogamoves.com (for new biking/walking paths around Saratoga). For more information, please visit www.casadacares.com
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