Robert Lee Johnson

Robert Lee Johnson, beloved husband and father, born July 21, 1923, in St. Louis, Missouri to Ann Marie Miller and Lee Bryan Johnson, died April 8, 2009 at home surrounded by his family. His childhood years were spent in St. Louis and on a farm outside of Poplar Bluff with his three brothers, Lee, Jim and Don and two sisters, Eileen and Margaret. He left home in his teens, joined the CCCs and sent most of his paycheck home to his family. He joined the US Army at the age of 17 and made MSgt in the Cavalry by the age of 21. He distinguished himself in combat in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II and the Korean War. He was also part of a military advisory group sent to Iran. He was married to Frances Allene Sellers for 28 years, and had one daughter, Frances Lee. His interests during these years were photography, foreign languages (speaking fluent Russian and German), flying planes and gliders (Soaring Society member), skiing, forestry and coin collection. He retired from the Army as a captain after 22 years of service and worked at Aerojet Corporation before working in the Pentagon for the Department of Defense. He then worked for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for several years, and was later appointed by the International Monetary Fund as advisor to the Central Banks of Kuwait and Jordan. He married Charlotte Marie Kerrick in 1971 and over the course of their 38 - year marriage had five children, Karma, Bobby, Jared, Kathryn and James. A lover of nature, he enjoyed walking in the woods and tending a vegetable garden at his farm in Virginia. He loved creeks, rivers, mules and wildflowers, as well as music of many kinds. He especially enjoyed sharing music with others and making tapes and CDs to give to friends. A guitar player for many years, he began playing the 5-string clawhammer banjo during this time and spent many hours jamming with friends and traveling to old-time music festivals. He was a member of the Austin Banjo Club, Friends of Traditional Music, and the Central Texas Accordion Association. He enjoyed playing gigs, especially those at nursing homes and retirement facilities, with his friends. A life long harmonica player, he returned to playing the harmonica exclusively in recent years. Bob was a brave, strong, intelligent and compassionate man who loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. He was a loyal and generous friend who was always the first to discern a need and to lend a hand. He was a true adventurer who loved exploring new technologies, countries and cultures, and taking back roads off the beaten path. He lived an extraordinary life, always with the highest degree of integrity. He touched and affected many lives over the years, and will be remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose. Those that we love deeply become a part of us"