Robert Douglas Johnstone

Robert “Bob” Johnstone, 94, of Ventura, passed away peacefully at home. Bob was born in Lost Hills, California, the third son of John and Erma Johnstone. He attended schools in Lynwood and Compton, CA, graduating from The University of Southern California, with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1942. He enlisted and was inducted as an Aviation Cadet in the United States Army in May 1942. Following officer training he received his first commission. He served in the South Pacific during World War II and was honorably discharged as a Captain in the 1504th Army Air Force Base Unit in 1946.

He and his future wife, Edele, met upon his return to the United States in November of 1945 and were married in 1948. Before their marriage, Bob and two of his brothers developed an alfalfa ranch in Newberry, east of Barstow, CA. Bob and Edele resided at the ranch after their marriage. In 1951 the ranch was sold and the family moved to Bakersfield where Bob went to work for Richfield Oil Corporation, which later became ARCO.

Bob was now back in the field of engineering that he loved and together with his wife and three children moved to various locations where drilling was taking place. During his career as a Drilling Engineer, Bob worked assignments in Bakersfield, New Cuyama, the Canary Islands (drilling in the Spanish Sahara), Anchorage, Alaska, Calgary, Canada, and finally in Lafayette, Louisiana.

While in Anchorage he was a Drilling Engineer at the time of the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope. Bob was involved with other discovery wells in numerous locations and gave fully of himself to his chosen occupation and to his family. In 1978 while in Lafayette, he retired from ARCO and together with his wife moved to Ventura in 1979.

Bob and Edele were worldwide travelers as well as traveling extensively throughout the U.S.A. All Continents were visited with the exception of Antarctica. Bob enjoyed his golf days and time spent with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Richard, Donald, Edward and Margaret; also, his daughter-in-law, Judi.

In addition to his wife Edele, Bob is survived by his children, Jack, Janice (Roger), and Jim (Cindy); grandchildren, Janene (Jeff), Adam (Jill), Jalynn, Joseph, Colin (Jennifer), Brett and Scott; great grandchildren, Addison, Tayton, Trenton, Nicholas, Natalie, Haden, Brant and Gavin; sisters-in-law, Katie and Donna; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Roze Room Hospice of Ventura, Home Instead, BrightStar and the many Caregivers that cared for Bob for the last nine months of his life.

Those we love don't go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

Burial will take place at Bakersfield National Cemetery on Friday, January 17, 2014, at 1:15 PM.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 18, 2014, 2:00 PM at First Lutheran Church, 78 Chrisman Avenue, Ventura. Reverend Allen Hellwege and Deacon Eric Mettala will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.