Robert Edge Johnston

Bob is survived by his wife Jeanette, older sister Elizabeth (Betty) , 4 children, Melody, Gregory (Carolyn), Robert (Kelly) and Russell (Darcie), 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all of us.

Bob, like his siblings, is characterized by a sense of determination and a work ethic to overcome adversity. He graduated from Hoover High School (1952), and worked three jobs and was a member of the Army Reserves.

Through 13 years of night school at SDSU, he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s and graduated with highest honors while supporting his family. One of the three jobs that he worked at in those early years eventually evolved into an amazingly productive professional career. Beginning as a stockroom clerk at Consolidated Valtee Aircraft Corporation (later known as Convair, a Division of General Dynamics), eventually becoming Chief of Engineering Cost Development, Manager of Engineering Cost Analysis and finally, Director of Contracts and Estimating Aircraft Programs at the time of his retirement in 1993.

Upon retiring, Bob served as Executive Director of the Society of Allied Weight Engineers (a global professional organization) and later, volunteered at the San Diego Air and Space Museum where he worked on preserving histories, assisted with several museums publications and grant proposals, as well the Scholarship Program as a key committee member. In 2020, he received the "Inspiration Award" through the Friends of Balboa Park for his many accomplishments as a volunteer.

With a career of amazing professional impacts, he was still a family man— husband, dad, grandfather, and great grandfather. His life with his wife Jean was always about taking care of his kids, which always brought its own challenges but momentous blessings as well. Despite his busy schedule, he could be found at concerts, games, and later, coaching those games. He later introduced his entire family (children - great grandchildren), to his love of backpacking in the Eastern Sierras.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life for Bob with family and friends. If you would like to be part of this celebration please forward your interest to Kelly Johnston at [email protected]. More information will be made available to those with interest. The family is asking, in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the San Diego Air & Space Museum c/o Library & Archives.