Robert Johnson

MADISON- Robert A. (Bob) Johnson, a resident of Madison since 1946, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2016 at the age of 91.

Bob, a proud member of the Greatest Generation, was born in Rhinelander to Agnes and Oscar Johnson on March 1, 1925 and was raised as a working member of the family grocery store, Johnson's Grocery located at 651 West Davenport Street. He was drafted into the Army upon graduation from high school in 1943, first sent to basic training, then combat engineer school as a demolitions expert, before being shipped to the European front. Bob reported to a replacement battalion but arrived too late to see combat. Assignment to the honor guard of Lt. General George S. Patton was the high point of his wartime service. Johnson remained in the European Theater of Operations through early 1946 as a member of the occupation force.

Bob attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He joined the Wisconsin Department of Transportation where his career advanced until he managed the design and construction of interstate highways in the Madison district before retiring in 1990.

His many interests included skiing, a lifelong membership in the NRA, deer hunting and golfing. Guns were his passion and he participated in the marksmanship competition at Camp Perry with a customized rifle at the range of 1,000 yards. He was a Mason and member of Zor Shrine; where he participated in the Arab patrol. He was also a member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Robert and Elizabeth (Betty) Eisonman were joined in marriage in 1972. They traveled together abroad to places like Egypt, Isreal and as far north as Alaska. Betty passed away in 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents and three siblings Charlotte Fredrickson; Norma Schellenger and Richard (Dick) Johnson. He is survived by his niece, Christine (Schellenger) Polebitski and nephews, Donald, John and Paul Fredrickson.


A funeral service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 11:00am. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison or The Shriner's Children Hospital.

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Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434