Robert G Johnson

Robert Glen Johnson

September 4, 1943 - October 20, 2026

Bob was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His family was living in Oklahoma during World War II; his dad was a chemical engineer for DuPont.

Their family moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey, where Bob had a storybook childhood. He spent his days hunting, trapping, and fishing with his dad and neighborhood friends, or drawing and painting with his mother. He spent his summers in Connecticut at his grandmother’s cottage, where he would explore the banks of his beloved Mill River near her home. 

A talented artist, Bob received his BFA from Syracuse and later went on to take courses at Parsons School of Design, the New School, and the Art Students’ League of New York. 

Bob had a colorful and diverse professional life. His career started at an ad agency in New Jersey. After the agency’s closure, he pursued his love of cars and began working at General Motors, where he worked for several years. Following a desire to return to the art world, he later went on to manage the Utrecht Art Store in New York City. Bob also enjoyed learning about and following the stock market, an interest that was sparked by his beloved Uncle Al.

He met Mary through a mutual friend at a ski house in Killington, Vermont. Upon meeting her, he promptly challenged her to ski difficult routes at Killington, asking her to meet for a drink and dinner afterward. Married in 1974, Mary and Bob first moved to New Jersey, later taking up residence in Greenwich Village and eventually moved to Boulder, CO with his wife and their two children. A skilled craftsman, Bob lovingly worked on and restored every house he lived in. His most treasured place was their family beach house at Giant’s Neck Beach in Niantic, CT. Over the span of nearly four decades, Bob spent his summers at the beach with his family; fishing, lobstering, painting and enjoying the warm company of dear cousins and lifelong friends. A favorite ritual was to catch a lobster, paint the lobster, and then cook and eat the lobster out on the picnic table.

While he had many hobbies in which he invested his time and attention, painting was the life-force that fueled Bob’s existence. He possessed a highly diverse skillset and a wide variety of interests in different styles and mediums. He sketched daily and was constantly working on one project or another. He was deeply inspired by American artists Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, John Singer Sargent, and illustrator Robert Crumb. He was also highly passionate about art history, and amassed a vast collection of art books, all of which he enthusiastically pored over and referenced over the years.

Bob was also an avid fly fisherman and spent much of his time reading about flyfishing and restoring antique bamboo flyrods. He enjoyed many trips with close friends to Yellowstone’s Slough Creek. He continued to make these backcountry trips, which involved a nearly 20mi backpacking trek in and out, well into his later years—he completed his final Yellowstone trip in 2023 just weeks before his 80th birthday. Those were some of his most treasured adventures and inspired many paintings.

He was a devout husband and father, and a warm and cherished grandfather who thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and encouraging their various passions and pursuits. Bob leaves so many whom he loved and who love him. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Lepre) Johnson, his children, Seth Johnson and Kathryn Johnson; his beloved grandchildren, Lilyana, Isabella, and Bodhi; and his dear cousins, Ken Blanchard, Karen Blanchard, Joan Blanchard, and their children. 

He was predeceased by his parents, Alma Schmidt Johnson and Seth Phillip Johnson.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 6th at Sacred Heart of Jesus church in Boulder, CO. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Greenwood and Myers Mortuary. Donations can be made in Bob's memory to the Patient Advocate Foundation (https://paf.givevirtuous.org/donate/donate-to-paf/) or Sacred Heart of Jesus Scholarship Foundation, 2312 14th St, Boulder, CO 80304.