Honorable Robert P. "Judge" Johnson, 94, passed away peacefully at Beaumont Retirement Community in Bryn Mawr on Sunday, April 25th 2021.
Born in Philadelphia on September 7th 1926, he was the son of William Barton Johnson and Ethel Ricarda (Bonsor) Johnson. The fourth of five children, he enjoyed a healthy and active lifestyle he maintained for the rest of his years.
A student of Lower Merion High School class of 1945, upon his 18th birthday, like many of his generation, he answered the call and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving two years on active duty and later several years in the US Navy Reserve. He then attended Saint Joseph's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1954. As with fitness, education became a lifelong passion and he kept current with classes at Penn State, the University of Virginia Law School, the University of Alabama Law School (American Academy of Judicial Education) and Temple University. He also became a rated pilot, regularly taking his beloved little single engine Ercoupe all over the area, especially down to Atlantic City and Ocean City.
Robert began his lengthy public service when he was appointed to a vacancy as Justice of the Peace in 1954 by Governor John Fine. He ran for the position and was elected the following year. His Civil-Traffic-Criminal Court routinely had the heaviest volume of proceedings in the Commonwealth. Of all the duties assigned to him though, that of conducting the civil ceremony of marriage was one that he enjoyed very much, bonding a countless number of couples. He continued this service until his retirement in 1984.
His career was not limited to the judicial branch, however. In 1959 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the General Assembly, representing Lower Merion Township, Montgomery county. He served three terms until 1964. While there he served on the Joint State Government Committee on Juvenile Processes, the Legislative Service Agency Committee, was Vice Chair of the Law and Order and Liquor Control Committees as well as other committee assignments. In 1965, he moved to the Pennsylvania Senate and served a term there as well. He was always proud of his perfect attendance throughout his legislative service.
Completing the trifecta, he served in the Executive Branch when he was appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner of the Milk Control Board. Additionally, the Governor tapped him to serve on the Crime Commission, as the Governor's Justice Commissioner for Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. On the 26th day of June 1984, the Honorable Robert Johnson was presented with a Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Order signed by Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix Jr., in recognition of serving with distinction in all three branches of government of the Commonwealth for a period of over thirty years, noting that he gave of himself unstintingly and tirelessly for the welfare of the people of this Commonwealth.
The Judge's community organization list is lengthy and varied. He was a member of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Gladwyne as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. He was a member of the Optimist Club and the Gladwyne, Penn Valley and Merion Park Civic Associations. He was a member and/or director of the Gladwyne, Union and Narberth Fire Companies. He was a former President of the District Justices of Montgomery County. He was a Director of Trevose Federal Savings and the Bank of King of Prussia. He was a member of the Overbrook and Sea View Country Clubs. He was also a member of the Bachelor's Barge Club of Philadelphia and the Earlington Men's Club. He was a member of the American Legion, a Life Member of the Navy League. Last fall he was honored as a 50-year member of the Union League in Philadelphia. Robert was also President-Director of the Lower Merion Police Pension Association where he oversaw the multi-million-dollar fund. At the conclusion of his many years of public service, Judge Johnson served as the legal administrator for the Dilworth Paxson Kalish & Kauffman Law Firm in Philadelphia.
Judge Johnson is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Marie Johnson of Ardmore, his son, Robert P. Johnson, Jr. of Florida and his wife Susan, Grandson Andrew Gogola and his wife Kiara, Granddaughter Jenya and her husband Chris Berg, and numerous nephews, nieces, family members and close friends.
Born in Philadelphia on September 7th 1926, he was the son of William Barton Johnson and Ethel Ricarda (Bonsor) Johnson. The fourth of five children, he enjoyed a healthy and active lifestyle he maintained for the rest of his years.
A student of Lower Merion High School class of 1945, upon his 18th birthday, like many of his generation, he answered the call and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving two years on active duty and later several years in the US Navy Reserve. He then attended Saint Joseph's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1954. As with fitness, education became a lifelong passion and he kept current with classes at Penn State, the University of Virginia Law School, the University of Alabama Law School (American Academy of Judicial Education) and Temple University. He also became a rated pilot, regularly taking his beloved little single engine Ercoupe all over the area, especially down to Atlantic City and Ocean City.
Robert began his lengthy public service when he was appointed to a vacancy as Justice of the Peace in 1954 by Governor John Fine. He ran for the position and was elected the following year. His Civil-Traffic-Criminal Court routinely had the heaviest volume of proceedings in the Commonwealth. Of all the duties assigned to him though, that of conducting the civil ceremony of marriage was one that he enjoyed very much, bonding a countless number of couples. He continued this service until his retirement in 1984.
His career was not limited to the judicial branch, however. In 1959 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the General Assembly, representing Lower Merion Township, Montgomery county. He served three terms until 1964. While there he served on the Joint State Government Committee on Juvenile Processes, the Legislative Service Agency Committee, was Vice Chair of the Law and Order and Liquor Control Committees as well as other committee assignments. In 1965, he moved to the Pennsylvania Senate and served a term there as well. He was always proud of his perfect attendance throughout his legislative service.
Completing the trifecta, he served in the Executive Branch when he was appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner of the Milk Control Board. Additionally, the Governor tapped him to serve on the Crime Commission, as the Governor's Justice Commissioner for Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. On the 26th day of June 1984, the Honorable Robert Johnson was presented with a Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Order signed by Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix Jr., in recognition of serving with distinction in all three branches of government of the Commonwealth for a period of over thirty years, noting that he gave of himself unstintingly and tirelessly for the welfare of the people of this Commonwealth.
The Judge's community organization list is lengthy and varied. He was a member of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Gladwyne as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. He was a member of the Optimist Club and the Gladwyne, Penn Valley and Merion Park Civic Associations. He was a member and/or director of the Gladwyne, Union and Narberth Fire Companies. He was a former President of the District Justices of Montgomery County. He was a Director of Trevose Federal Savings and the Bank of King of Prussia. He was a member of the Overbrook and Sea View Country Clubs. He was also a member of the Bachelor's Barge Club of Philadelphia and the Earlington Men's Club. He was a member of the American Legion, a Life Member of the Navy League. Last fall he was honored as a 50-year member of the Union League in Philadelphia. Robert was also President-Director of the Lower Merion Police Pension Association where he oversaw the multi-million-dollar fund. At the conclusion of his many years of public service, Judge Johnson served as the legal administrator for the Dilworth Paxson Kalish & Kauffman Law Firm in Philadelphia.
Judge Johnson is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Marie Johnson of Ardmore, his son, Robert P. Johnson, Jr. of Florida and his wife Susan, Grandson Andrew Gogola and his wife Kiara, Granddaughter Jenya and her husband Chris Berg, and numerous nephews, nieces, family members and close friends.
Honorable Robert P. "Judge" Johnson, 94, passed away peacefully at Beaumont Retirement Community in Bryn Mawr on Sunday, April 25th 2021.
Born in Philadelphia on September 7th 1926, he was the son of William Barton Johnson and Ethel Ricarda (Bonsor) Johnson. The fourth of five children, he enjoyed a healthy and active lifestyle he maintained for the rest of his years.
A student of Lower Merion High School class of 1945, upon his 18th birthday, like many of his generation, he answered the call and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving two years on active duty and later several years in the US Navy Reserve. He then attended Saint Joseph's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1954. As with fitness, education became a lifelong passion and he kept current with classes at Penn State, the University of Virginia Law School, the University of Alabama Law School (American Academy of Judicial Education) and Temple University. He also became a rated pilot, regularly taking his beloved little single engine Ercoupe all over the area, especially down to Atlantic City and Ocean City.
Robert began his lengthy public service when he was appointed to a vacancy as Justice of the Peace in 1954 by Governor John Fine. He ran for the position and was elected the following year. His Civil-Traffic-Criminal Court routinely had the heaviest volume of proceedings in the Commonwealth. Of all the duties assigned to him though, that of conducting the civil ceremony of marriage was one that he enjoyed very much, bonding a countless number of couples. He continued this service until his retirement in 1984.
His career was not limited to the judicial branch, however. In 1959 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the General Assembly, representing Lower Merion Township, Montgomery county. He served three terms until 1964. While there he served on the Joint State Government Committee on Juvenile Processes, the Legislative Service Agency Committee, was Vice Chair of the Law and Order and Liquor Control Committees as well as other committee assignments. In 1965, he moved to the Pennsylvania Senate and served a term there as well. He was always proud of his perfect attendance throughout his legislative service.
Completing the trifecta, he served in the Executive Branch when he was appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner of the Milk Control Board. Additionally, the Governor tapped him to serve on the Crime Commission, as the Governor's Justice Commissioner for Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. On the 26th day of June 1984, the Honorable Robert Johnson was presented with a Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Order signed by Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix Jr., in recognition of serving with distinction in all three branches of government of the Commonwealth for a period of over thirty years, noting that he gave of himself unstintingly and tirelessly for the welfare of the people of this Commonwealth.
The Judge's community organization list is lengthy and varied. He was a member of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Gladwyne as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. He was a member of the Optimist Club and the Gladwyne, Penn Valley and Merion Park Civic Associations. He was a member and/or director of the Gladwyne, Union and Narberth Fire Companies. He was a former President of the District Justices of Montgomery County. He was a Director of Trevose Federal Savings and the Bank of King of Prussia. He was a member of the Overbrook and Sea View Country Clubs. He was also a member of the Bachelor's Barge Club of Philadelphia and the Earlington Men's Club. He was a member of the American Legion, a Life Member of the Navy League. Last fall he was honored as a 50-year member of the Union League in Philadelphia. Robert was also President-Director of the Lower Merion Police Pension Association where he oversaw the multi-million-dollar fund. At the conclusion of his many years of public service, Judge Johnson served as the legal administrator for the Dilworth Paxson Kalish & Kauffman Law Firm in Philadelphia.
Judge Johnson is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Marie Johnson of Ardmore, his son, Robert P. Johnson, Jr. of Florida and his wife Susan, Grandson Andrew Gogola and his wife Kiara, Granddaughter Jenya and her husband Chris Berg, and numerous nephews, nieces, family members and close friends.
Born in Philadelphia on September 7th 1926, he was the son of William Barton Johnson and Ethel Ricarda (Bonsor) Johnson. The fourth of five children, he enjoyed a healthy and active lifestyle he maintained for the rest of his years.
A student of Lower Merion High School class of 1945, upon his 18th birthday, like many of his generation, he answered the call and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving two years on active duty and later several years in the US Navy Reserve. He then attended Saint Joseph's University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1954. As with fitness, education became a lifelong passion and he kept current with classes at Penn State, the University of Virginia Law School, the University of Alabama Law School (American Academy of Judicial Education) and Temple University. He also became a rated pilot, regularly taking his beloved little single engine Ercoupe all over the area, especially down to Atlantic City and Ocean City.
Robert began his lengthy public service when he was appointed to a vacancy as Justice of the Peace in 1954 by Governor John Fine. He ran for the position and was elected the following year. His Civil-Traffic-Criminal Court routinely had the heaviest volume of proceedings in the Commonwealth. Of all the duties assigned to him though, that of conducting the civil ceremony of marriage was one that he enjoyed very much, bonding a countless number of couples. He continued this service until his retirement in 1984.
His career was not limited to the judicial branch, however. In 1959 he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the General Assembly, representing Lower Merion Township, Montgomery county. He served three terms until 1964. While there he served on the Joint State Government Committee on Juvenile Processes, the Legislative Service Agency Committee, was Vice Chair of the Law and Order and Liquor Control Committees as well as other committee assignments. In 1965, he moved to the Pennsylvania Senate and served a term there as well. He was always proud of his perfect attendance throughout his legislative service.
Completing the trifecta, he served in the Executive Branch when he was appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner of the Milk Control Board. Additionally, the Governor tapped him to serve on the Crime Commission, as the Governor's Justice Commissioner for Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. On the 26th day of June 1984, the Honorable Robert Johnson was presented with a Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Order signed by Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix Jr., in recognition of serving with distinction in all three branches of government of the Commonwealth for a period of over thirty years, noting that he gave of himself unstintingly and tirelessly for the welfare of the people of this Commonwealth.
The Judge's community organization list is lengthy and varied. He was a member of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Gladwyne as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. He was a member of the Optimist Club and the Gladwyne, Penn Valley and Merion Park Civic Associations. He was a member and/or director of the Gladwyne, Union and Narberth Fire Companies. He was a former President of the District Justices of Montgomery County. He was a Director of Trevose Federal Savings and the Bank of King of Prussia. He was a member of the Overbrook and Sea View Country Clubs. He was also a member of the Bachelor's Barge Club of Philadelphia and the Earlington Men's Club. He was a member of the American Legion, a Life Member of the Navy League. Last fall he was honored as a 50-year member of the Union League in Philadelphia. Robert was also President-Director of the Lower Merion Police Pension Association where he oversaw the multi-million-dollar fund. At the conclusion of his many years of public service, Judge Johnson served as the legal administrator for the Dilworth Paxson Kalish & Kauffman Law Firm in Philadelphia.
Judge Johnson is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Marie Johnson of Ardmore, his son, Robert P. Johnson, Jr. of Florida and his wife Susan, Grandson Andrew Gogola and his wife Kiara, Granddaughter Jenya and her husband Chris Berg, and numerous nephews, nieces, family members and close friends.
Gravesite Details
Interred in the plot with his mother and grandparents
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