Robert Johnson

Robert A. Johnson, 96, passed away on 30 May 2015 due to causes incident to age. He was born in Denver on 2 May 1919 to George C. and Nellie G. Johnson and counted himself of fourth general pioneer stock as a lifelong resident of San Jose. Mr. Johnson graduated with a BS in Chemistry from San Jose State College. He married D. Irene McDaniel in1941. They have two children, Colin B. (Julia) and Kathleen (Richard Thaw), five grandchildren, Bryce (Lisa Carroll), Rebecca (Trent Gordon), William Thaw (Christina), Eric Thaw (Lilian), Mark Thaw (Mary), and four great-grandchildren, all of whom survive him. After employment with Westvaco Chlorine Products in chemical research during WWII, Mr. Johnson spent his career in the food technology industry, beginning with Foremost Dairies and then with his own company Food Techniques, Inc. of San Jose. He supervised the installation of the first powdered whole milk plant in rural Panama in 1955. His later innovative work—winning several patents-- involved developing seed protein isolates from oil seed cake, an activity that took him to India and around the world. He held membership in the American Chemical Society, the Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, and the California Pioneers of Santa Clara Valley. The family thanks Maida Wooters and staff for their care. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery with a service in the Chapel of the Roses at Noon on Wed. 3 June with a viewing the hour before. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to a favorite charity.