Robert “Bob” Wayne Johnson, 69, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024, surrounded by his family at Tampa General Hospital.
Bob was born to Harriet and Wayne Johnson on June 29, 1954, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Johnson; children, Ryan Johnson (Lindsey), Aden Johnson (Jessica), Eva Desjardins, Wade Desjardins, and Connor Goodfriend; grandchildren, Kaylie Johnson, Harlyn Johnson, Maryn Johnson, Finley Johnson, and Lily Johnson; and his sister Cheri Dressel (Bruce) and family.
Bob was a lifelong Penn State fan, never missing an opportunity to discuss Penn State Athletics with his sons. Bob served in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. After his military service, he moved to Florida where he opened a movie theater, which also operated as a restaurant and bar, named “Pitchers and Pictures Theater and Tavern.” In 1983, Bob’s business was chosen as the “Best New Business in Sarasota.” Bob began his 33-year career as a teacher, coach, and Model UN Team founder and sponsor at Port Charlotte High School in 1988. Over the course of his career, he traveled to ninety countries, many with students in tow, learning and teaching about religions, politics, and cultures around the world. He took photos and authored articles for magazines about his travels, and he became a sought-after public speaker. On one of these trips, he met the love of his life, Pamela.
Bob’s career is memorialized by a number of state-wide, national, and international awards, including the following: Charlotte County Teacher of the Year (2x), Macy’s Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist, National Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award, Outstanding Teacher Awards from NASDAQ and TIME magazine, Florida Global Educator of the Year Award, Harvard Club Distinguished Teacher Award, Nobel Excellence in Education Award, and “Outstanding Educator” awards from Bowdoin College, Swarthmore College, Harvard University, and University of Chicago. His favorite award was the Grand Prize Free Travel Award from E.F. Education, where he won a free two-week adventure in the Indian Ocean, following an itinerary that he designed. Countless students credit Bob with giving them the confidence, guidance, and direction in their lives that no teacher or mentor before him had ever done. Through his students, Bob’s impact extends world-wide, and his family feels immeasurably blessed to have had his steadfast counsel all these years. Bob truly embodied his motto in life, a quote from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “True power is having the ability to positively impact others and the world while living a simple, intelligent, and experientially rich existence.” Bob’s family would like to thank the Lung Transplant Team, Cardiac ICU nurses, and Medical Staff at Tampa General Hospital for the care and compassion provided to Bob for the past two years.
A Celebration of Life service for Bob will be held Saturday 11:00 AM, June 29, 2024, at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950 followed by a gathering of family and friends until 1:00 PM.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.