Robert Johnsen

1934 - 2018

Robert Johnsen

Scottsdale - Robert (Bob) Johnsen passed away peacefully on May 13, 2018 at his Scottsdale home. Bob was born on August 11, 1934 in the Bronx, New York. He graduated from Bronx Science High School and Hofstra University with a degree in physics. Bob married the love of his life, Dorothy (Morris) Johnsen in 1957. They were both avid singers, Bob performed with a Barbershop Quartet and Dorothy performed with Sweet Adelines. Together Bob and Dorothy had seven children and the young family moved from Somerville, New Jersey to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1967. Active members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (OLPH) since that time, Bob was a member of Knights of Columbus, the OLPH Men's Club, the OLPH choir and various other ministries throughout the past 50 years. Education was very important to them and they made sure all their children graduated from OLPH Catholic Elementary School and St. Mary's High School. All their children have college degrees. Bob worked for RCA in New York, then transferred to Arizona where he spent his career with Motorola's Semi-Conductor Group as a research physicist. In the Research and Development division, his work there was very productive as Bob had several patents on electronics, chips and components to his name. Bob and Dorothy's love of music provided an opportunity for them to travel the world, from Moscow to Melbourne, with various performing choirs, including the OLPH choir, ASU Choral Union and the Phoenix Diocesan Chorale. Their travels took them to five continents and the highlight of Bob's singing career was singing for St. Pope John Paul II at the Vatican several times and here in the Valley. Bob was an amateur radio enthusiast most of his life and his call sign was K7TR. This provided him several unique opportunities, including more global travel and working with Barry Goldwater on ham radio operations. He was also very interested in the Shroud of Turin, studying the research into it and giving thought-provoking and moving presentations about it to numerous groups. He was blessed to be able to travel to Turin, Italy, to see this remarkable cloth in person. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with family and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his eldest son, Robert. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Carol and Bill Haight of Jersey City, New Jersey; sister and brother-in-law Nancy and John Kaye of Birch Bay Washington; son and daughter-in-law Bill Johnsen and Rhonda Thomas of Mesa; daughter Terri Verason of Chandler, her children, Alicia of Chicago and son and daughter-in-law Joe and Gina and their four children of El Mirage; daughter and son-in-law Trish and Rhett Akers and their 2 children, McKenna and Nathaniel of El Mirage; daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Steve Gutowski of Irving, Texas and their two daughters, Claire and Helen of New York; daughter and son-in-law Peggy and Francisco Orellana and their children Lucy and son and daughter-in-law John and Kim Orellana and their three children of Phoenix; and daughter and son-in-law Dorothy and Philip Lindman and their daughter Alex of Seattle, Washington. Bob was well-loved and will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Bob's life at the following events: viewing at Messenger Indian School Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd, Scottsdale, on Sunday, May 20, from 6-8 pm with a rosary at 7 pm; Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 7655 E. Main St., Scottsdale, on Monday, May 21, at 1:00 pm; graveside services at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033. N 48th St, Phoenix, immediately after the memorial Mass. A reception will be held at Mount Claret Retreat Center, 4633 N. 54th St, Phoenix following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, OLPH Chapter, 7655 E. Main St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251.