Robert Charles Johnson

Robert Charles "R.C." "Bob" "BJ" Johnson of Boise, ID passed away in January 2026 following a long illness. He was 88.

Born in 1937, Bob grew up in Orofino, Idaho and attended the University of Idaho. After graduating with a degree in chemical engineering, he enjoyed a long career in diverse fields including thermoplastics, electroplating, mining, sugar beet extraction, semiconductor manufacture, and nuclear waste disposal. After many years in California, Bob returned to his beloved Idaho in the early 1980s and lived in the Treasure Valley for the remainder of his life.

An inveterate tinkerer and quintessential engineer, Bob was curious, analytical, reliable, stubborn, often blunt and irascible, and could fix anything. He loved fishing, camping, boating, ATVing, BBQing, building computers, classic cars, ham radio, lapidary and jewellery making, silversmithing, Sees candies, woodfires in the fireplace, his native N. Idaho, and Kokopelli.

He is survived by his life partner Joan Plourde, who dedicated many years lovingly taking care of him in the final stages of his life; his children Mike Johnson, Terri (Barry) Brown, Julie (Bob) Stoddard, Kari Johnson (Patricia Burgin), Michele Johnson (Beat Brüderlin); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In keeping with Bob's wishes, there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the University of Idaho College of Engineering, uidaho.edu/giving. Condolences may be sent via email to michelejo999@gmail.com