Robert G. Johnston

JOHNSTON, Robert G., of Richmond, passed away on September 15, 2009. Born in 1922, in Sharon, Pa., Bob lived most of his life in Richmond. Bob was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps in France. He met his wife, the late Shirley Culbreth, at the USO in Florence, S.C. Bob was an accountant with several truck leasing companies, but his life bloomed in retirement when he could pursue his passions for gardening and gadgetry. He and Shirley annually expanded the variety of flowers and vegetables in their back yard. In his well used garage, he fixed everything that ever broke in the house or on the car. He built make-shift boats, hot-air balloons launched on the Fourth of July, a lawn-mowing ghost for Halloween, and small rockets launched to the delight of his grandchildren. For more than 50 years Bob was a member of St. Giles Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday School and served as Deacon for several years. His faith sustained him following the death of his beloved Shirley in 2003, and he treasured the loving support of his St. Giles friends. Bob's greatest accomplishment was as the loving father of five children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Pamela Johnston of Huntington, N.Y., Elizabeth Snyder of Havertown, Pa., Martha Shotwell of Glen Allen, Robert Johnston Jr. of Vallejo, Calif., and Ann Winton of Charleston, W.Va. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Dawson of Redmond, Wash. He was preceded by his parents, Elizabeth Newhouse and Virgil C. Johnston; and brothers, Virgil Johnston Jr. and William T. Johnston. There will be a memorial service on Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m., followed by visitation with the family at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Richmond. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Deacons Fund at St. Giles Church.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.