Robert Stevens Johnson

Robert S. Johnson, 93, of North Fort Myers, Florida, known more frequently as Bob, Dad, Uncle Bob, Grandpa, and even Henry or Hank to his wife for a time when there were too many other Bob’s in their lives, passed away in the early hours of Monday, August 4, 2025 in Cape Coral, Florida.

Born in Buffalo, NY, to Gladys and John Johnson, Bob lived a life rich in service, family, and accomplishments. As a young man, he swam competitively, earned his Eagle Scout rank, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning home from Korea, he followed his older brother Jack to Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Peerbolt, while building the freshman float for the homecoming parade. The couple married in 1956 and shared 54 years of love, laughter, and devoted partnership until Mary Ann’s passing in 2011.

After college, Bob secured a position at Eli Lilly & Company, where he spent a career of 32 years, moving the family to Indianapolis, Indiana, with a memorable four-year stint in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In making that move, Bob exposed his children to the joys and celebrations of other cultures. He was the kind of dad who lined up his kids like ranks in the garage when things had gotten too rowdy and summoned them to “the den” for serious talks about allowance, budgets, and college and living expenses. He was strict, but also the guy who whistled loudest at swim meets and made sure every child knew how to survive a canoe capsize.

After retiring, Bob and Mary Ann moved to North Fort Myers, where he was an avid golfer, achieving milestones such as scoring a hole in one and golfing his age. Bob later volunteered with Hope Hospice’s Honor Guard, an organization that recognizes veterans in hospice care for their service and who had lovingly cared for Mary Ann in her final days. He was a master of sudoku, golf cart alligator hunt adventures with the grandkids, tinkering around the house, and quoting Robert Service poems like The Cremation of Sam McGee and The Shooting of Dan McGrew from memory.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Patricia Johnson, his children: Linda (Bob) Ochse, Steve (Susan) Johnson, Susan (Tom) Dyar, Tammy (Jeff) Brodzeller, Tim (Michelle) Johnson, and Robin (Jason) Springfield, and by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jack, his beloved wife Mary Ann, and his son-in-law Rick Lattimore.

His grandchildren include: Melissa (Job) Martinez, Patrick (Monica) Johnson, Amanda (Devin) McGinn, Mike (Jen) Johnson, Alyssa Dyar, JT Dyar, Scott (Moira) Brodzeller, Jay (Chloe) Brodzeller, Maya (Jacob) Rushton, Eva Johnson, Emma (Noah) Huber, Molly Brodzeller, Gordon Springfield, Gavin Springfield, Trey Springfield, and Isaac (Rachel) Johnson. His great-grandchildren include Daisy, Carson, Anna, Ainsley, Millie, Noah, Gabe, Reef, Sunny, Elaine, and Ezra (entering the world just 3 days before his passing).

In recent years, when we would say we’d see him again soon, he would smile and say, “The good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.” We’re holding onto that now, trusting he’s off on his next great adventure, dancing again with his beautiful wife, quoting interesting poetry, solving sudoku puzzles, or teeing off on a heavenly golf course, and we will indeed see him again “soon”.

A small family celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Cape Coral in the coming months. Memorial contributions are welcome to be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Cir, Fort Myers, FL 33908.