Robert "Bob" Johnston

Robert “Bob” Johnston, 94, passed from this world into eternal glory on September 22, 2020 in Bakersfield. His heaven going was 13 years to the day of his lovely wife, Hazel’s departure for heaven.

Bob was born on December 15, 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Arthur and Gertrude Johnston. Five years later a little sister, Eleanor, joined the family. Bob grew up in a loving family that cherished friends, family, and sports – especially hockey and football.

In 1950, Bob met Hazel Cheetham and they were married December 1, 1951. To this union were born three children – Nancy, Neil, and Noreen.

Bob’s career was in accounting, starting as an accounting clerk in Winnipeg. Once the family immigrated to the United States, he attended night school at UCLA and passed his CPA exam in 1962. His career would take him and the family to Lake Tahoe and North Vancouver, BC, Canada where he worked at Squaw Valley and Grouse Mountain, respectively. Bob and Hazel returned to the US and settled in Bakersfield to be near their daughters in 1981. Bob retired from the Kern Co. Welfare Department in 1991.

Bob was actively involved in the Kern Co. Stamp Club, the Kern Co. Scottish Society, and All Saints Anglican Church as a member of the Outreach Committee and as an usher. He enjoyed attending bible studies led by All Saints members. Bob was church treasurer at the various churches where he held membership and for most of the organizations he belonged to. Bob walked faithfully with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Retirement afforded Bob time to enjoy his many interests – watching hockey and the Tour de France, reading, listening to talk radio, and organizing his vast stamp collections. He and Hazel also traveled before and during their retirement, enjoying ocean cruises, trips back to Canada, and a trip to Indonesia to see their son.

Bob’s family was especially important to him. He was a wonderful father - stepping in to watch the kids when Hazel worked the night shift and taking road trips to Canada to see the family every other summer. He always enjoyed family get togethers. He was an engaged grandfather – always so interested in what his grandkids were up to! He loved talking to others – he could talk to anyone about anything! Friends were important too. He had many lifelong friends.

Bob was preceded in death by Hazel, his wife of 55 years; his parents, Arthur & Gertrude; brother-in-law, Peter; daughter-in-law, Linda, and great granddaughter, Reagan.

Bob was loved dearly and will be missed by his children – Nancy, Neil and wife, Nindya, and Noreen and husband, Marc; grandchildren Angela and husband, Cory, Samuel and fiancée, Molly, Naomi and husband, Jim, David and wife, Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Lauren; and great grandchildren Abby, Taylor and Travis; sister, Eleanor and sister-in law, Alice and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 7 at 2:00 pm at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The family would like to thank Michelle, Noli, Jeffrey, and Diana of A Golden Heart Family Care and Orchid Hospice for their loving care during Bob’s final months.

“The heart that is generous and kind most resembles God.” Robert Burns, Scottish Poet