It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert (Bob) Anthony Johnson announce his
unexpected passing. Bob passed away in Gallatin, Tennessee on December 4th, 2024, at the
age of 64. He was born on April 17, 1960 in Hammond, Indiana. He is the son of Mary T. (Dixon) Johnson and the late Robert E. Johnson of Griffith, IN. He is survived by his mother Mary, his wife of 44 years Susan Lynn (Riggs) Johnson of Elmwood, TN (Married May 24, 1980) and his children, Robert [Kimberly] E. Johnson of Springfield, TN and Sarah [Carlos] A. (Johnson) Rivera of Springfield, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Carlos Rivera, Alexander Johnson, Oren Johnson, Isabella Rivera, Marysol Rivera, Christian Rivera and Katrina Johnson along with an Aunt, countless adoring nieces, nephews, extended family and in-laws.
Bob is a graduate of Griffith Senior High School, Class of 1978, where he excelled at the tenor saxophone and was a varsity football and track athlete. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and became a proud graduate (Summa Cum Laude) of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University out of Bitburg, Germany with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Due to his success he was sent to OCS and became an Officer in the USAF where he proudly served until his retirement in 1993. Bob was the maintenance man for the Flying Tigers and wore that distinction like a badge of honor. He talked often about the Gulf War Illness Project (Project IN-DEPTH) that he worked on before his retirement and was excited and proud of the work completed with the VA and the NIH to help veterans suffering from wartime illnesses. One of his proudest projects outside of supporting the Gulf War during Operations Desert Storm and Shield was the design and construction of the Flying Tigers Heritage Park at England AFB in Alexandria, Louisiana. Heritage Park was a display of aircraft stationed at the base over the years and commemorated the lives of all airmen past, present, and future.
Bob was also a 32nd Degree Master Mason with Garfield Lodge #569 as well as a member of the Knights Templar.
Following his service in the USAF, Bob was a successful project manager with various
government contracting agencies to include a liaison with the Saudi Arabian Royal Air Force in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His private interests were varied and when he became interested in a craft he excelled at it. He was a talented woodworker who built countless projects with his daughter, Sarah and his granddaughters Isabella and Marysol, and these heirlooms are cherished in their homes. He was a certified marksman and hunted with his son Robert and Grandson Oren. He was a very talented cook and a successful bootlegger during his time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, even authoring a cookbook teaching others the art of distillery.
Through the years, Bob and his wife and children traveled the world. Bob ensured his family experienced cultures in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the United States and they are forever grateful for his sacrifice and devotion. It brought him a great deal of happiness to provide endless new experiences for his wife, Susan and his two children.
Bob was devoted to his family and was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle,
friend, boss and will be desperately missed by all who knew him.
The family will receive friends from 9:00-11:00AM Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield, 509 Walnut Street, Springfield, TN 37172.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00AM Tuesday, December 17th, in the funeral home chapel.
Military graveside services will be conducted at 2:00PM Tuesday, December 17th, in the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, TN 37221.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local masonic lodge in his memory.
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
