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BORN
1956
DIED
2019
Bobby Johnson Obituary
October 29, 1956 - October 31, 2019
Resident of Saratoga
Bobby Johnson passed away at age 63 following an illness. He was born in Kentucky and raised in North Carolina, Germany and Okinawa. He lived most of his life in California with his wife Donna, whom he met while in high school in Okinawa. Bobby especially enjoyed travelling to France, Japan, Okinawa, and particularly Carmel, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Hawaii and North Carolina. Bobby was fun-loving, honest, humble, gentle, creative generous, handsome, athletic, and smart. He enjoyed activities including exercising, especially participating in martial arts, the Okinawan Shorin-ryu style of karate, and he really loved the ocean. He loved Hawaii because he was able to relax, walking along the beach with his wife and snorkeling the blue ocean. He enjoyed reading, history, architecture, and he took great interest in things that were uniquely designed with detailed construction. He was a great support and mentor to many. He treated everyone with compassion and care that earned him their trust and loyalty. He was very quick witted and would make everyone burst into laughter with few words or one liners. Anyone who knew him could expect nothing but the best from him. His mind was so sharp with an excellent memory. Bobby gave generously to the numerous institutions and causes that he cared for, including churches, college contributions, senior groups, athletic organizations pursuing Olympic competition, food banks, and special needs children's organizations and hospitals. Bobby received a West Point appointment. He graduated from North Carolina State University, finishing college in three years with honors and was inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon, the National Mathematics Honor Society. He also received recognition from his alma mater, receiving the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, and was inducted into the Computer Science Alumni Hall of Fame.
In his professional 30+ year career, he was brilliant: a highly successful Pioneer, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Visionary, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Builder of high-performance networking companies. He began his career working at IBM Raleigh, moved to California, and worked for industry leaders such as Hewlett Packard, Tandem Computers, Convergent Technologies, and turn-around Tri-Data. He ranked among the worldwide leaders in the field of high performance networking when he co-founded two successful international corporations: Centillion Networks and Foundry Networks. These networking companies earned industry awards, corporate awards, and product awards under his leadership, including receiving recognition for "IPO of the Year" in 1999 for Foundry Networks. His entrepreneurial and business leadership style was a vibrant spirit that earned him devoted respect and admiration from his employees and customers and enabled the companies to succeed.
Bobby was recognized with an IVP Hall of Fame induction as well as an E&Y "Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist," both in 2000. Bobby was a keynote speaker and requested Panelist at many networking tradeshows and events. Additionally, Bobby was a guest speaker on "Entrepreneurship" at Stanford University's MBA Graduate Business School and a guest speaker for Armed Forces leaders at the National Defense University's Industrial College of Armed Forces in Monterey, California.
Bobby is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his mother, Dorothy Johnson, sisters Teresa Wiggs (Bobby) and Pam Cardona (Frank), and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews and niece, all of North Carolina. A private celebration of Bobby's life was held. Bobby was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.
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Memories and Condolences
for Bobby Johnson
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Earl Black
March 26, 2023
Bobby was a very good friend of mine at Anderson Creek High School..I always looked up to him am very sad to hear of his passing..I always knew that he would succeed because he was the smartest person that I have ever known..my sincere condolences to all of his family..I am sad that we didn't stay in touch after graduation..God's Speed my friend
Awil Egal
October 19, 2020
RIP BJ, Great leader with outstanding drive, courage, consistency and character. we will forever miss you.
Raymond Kwong
December 31, 2019
In memory of Bobby, I want to express my sincere condolence to Donna. It seemed just like yesterday when I would pass by him in the hallways of Foundry during the early days of the startup in Sunnyvale. He was a serious, goal-oriented leader who could motivate his employees in sync to succeed as a leading edge networking equipment company in the competitive Silicon Valley. A strong leader Bobby was, yet he had a compassionate side to him. He shared with me about his passion of building churches in Hawaii. As we travel in this temporal life, Bobby knew that there definitely was a legacy for eternity. Rest In Peace Bobby. You have run the race victoriously and there's a lasting crown for your reward.
Lew Chavez
November 26, 2019
Rest in peace BJ. Foundry was one of the toughest jobs I ever had but Bobby's leadership and brilliance made it a successful company that I was blessed to be part of. Bobby was very generous and helped so many people. My condolences to the family.
William Cooper
November 24, 2019
I worked for Bobby at Foundry Networks, where he inspired me an others to always consider and do "the right thing" when faced with difficult situations and decisions. A true leader and visionary, who will be sorely missed by all that got to know him.
matt perry
November 21, 2019
My condolences to you Donna. Bobby gave me such a great opportunity to be my best self, challenging me in many ways but always with a smile at the end. I remember his love of wine and the California ver French competition we had. If it had not been for Bobby my career would never have been as interesting and exciting as it turned out to be. Day after IPO it was business as usual despite suddenly becoming one of the wealthiest men on the planet. Foundry was the defining company at which to work for myself and many others.
RIP Bobby
Matt Perr
Carlos G
November 21, 2019
I didnt know him, but reading his obituary and the comments, he left a lasting legacy for his family and those he encounter and had the opportunity to serve. My prayers are with his family.
Wallace Wong
November 21, 2019
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
November 21, 2019
My deepest sympathy with his family!
I have not heard from him for so long, and now he's gone from us, that's very sad!
It seems to be exactly how Bobby left Foundry Networks back then, quietly!
My family and I owe a lot to Bobby!
He was so inspiring and a true role model for anyone who worked with or for him!
We'll miss you, now that you're with your friend Earl Ferguson!
Gerhard Rigo
Stahnsdorf, Germany
November 21, 2019
My deepest sympathy with his family!
I have not heard from him for so long, and now he's gone from us, that's very sad!
It seems to be exactly how Bobby left Foundry Networks back then, quietly!
My family and I owe a lot to Bobby!
He was so inspiring and a true role model for anyone who worked with or for him!
We'll miss you, now that you're with your friend Earl Ferguson!
Gerhard Rigo
Stahnsdorf, Germany
Prasad Chitturi
November 19, 2019
So saddened to hear about passing away of Booby. Bobby was a great leader and cared a great deal about his employees!
John Burger
November 17, 2019
So sorry for your loss, Donna. I met Bobby at Convergent over 35 years ago and we enjoyed a friendship ever since. Bobby's sincerity made people aspire to be their best. As a boss he could be demanding, but always fair - a rare leader. His insight, quick wit, and generosity will be missed. Rest in Peace Bobby.
Marc Bridge
November 15, 2019
Deepest Condolences to the Johnson family. He was an American original for sure. I had the opportunity to travel with him a few times to visit customers. I was always struck by how down to earth he was. I can still hear that southern drawl when I think of him. RIP Bobby, if they are making ethernet switches up there, they better add another shift!
November 14, 2019
Bobby was the toughest CEO's I have ever worked for and reminded me why I loved working for a startup. Thank you for the opportunity to work for a company you built from the ground up and letting me learn under the tutelage of your great marketing, leaders, engineers, developers, testers, and salespeople!
Robert Perry
November 14, 2019
Rest in peace BJ. I'm sure you will trailblaze as you return to the light and it was an honor to work for you and your company. Foundry under your leadership was the BOMB !
Zhenwu He
November 14, 2019
Bobby was a generous and fair CEO. He is hardworking, passionate and strict. He wants his team working hard, but he also rewards his team well, he changed lot of his employees life fundamentally. He also cares his employees. He could remember lot of his employees name. Around 5 years after he retaired, I met him on the street and he still could call my name and knew what I was doing in his company. I felt deeply sad when I heard this news
Seth Fiermonti
November 14, 2019
Bobby treated us at Foundry as a family. He was kind, brilliant, and caring. A staunch competitor, he loved it when we won and helped Foundry become successful. I was given a chance as an SE here and will remember this part of my career very fondly.
don shilliday
November 14, 2019
I've often described Bobby to others as 'Patriarchal'. He challenged you, but if you worked hard, he took care of you like a big brother or a father. He is missed. Thoughts and prayers with Donna and his family.
Vaishali Baxi
November 14, 2019
Deeply saddened to hear about Bobby passing away. He was truly inspiring and an exemplary leader. My thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family.
Linda Kuballa
November 14, 2019
My deepest sympathy to his family. Bobby was such a great CEO and a decent human being. I am so grateful I got to work with him at Foundry. He will be missed. It's a very sad day for me. Rest in peace Bobby.
Mahesh Shah
November 14, 2019
It is really sad to hear that Bobby has passed away at such an young age. My deepest condolences to Donna and the rest of the Johnson family. I first met Bobby in early 1996 and since then my and my family life has changed forever for good. I was very fortunate to work very closely with Bobby during the early days of Foundry Networks and learn a lot from him and I always had his support. Bobby was a great mentor and excellent technical and business leader who really cared for people. When I last talked to Bobby few years ago he still seemed to be same old Bobby that I knew, he still remembered my first meeting with him and the curry dish that we shared!
Doug Laughlin
November 13, 2019
Interesting and memorable guy to be sure. Sorry to hear about his passing at a relatively early age. His first comment upon meeting me at Foundry was "have I yelled at you yet?". Hilarious and indicative of his dry sense of humor. Overall I think he cared about his employees for the most part and his bark was much worse than his bite. RIP Bobby!
Todd Craw
November 13, 2019
Bobby was a legend. They don't make them like that anymore. I last saw him and Donna in Cupertino in 2013 and it was the same old Bobby even in retirement. I feel fortunate that I got to work with him even though it was contentious at times. He was incredibly tough, smart and tried to outwork all his competitors. I hope he was able to enjoy his retirement. Rest now, BJ!
Clayton Bownds
November 13, 2019
He had a heart for his people... Bobby truly cared and that's what made the culture at Foundry Networks under Bobby's watch such a special time in my career. It perhaps was the closest I'll ever see to a sense of family in Corporate America and that was all Bobby leading from the front. My deepest condolences to the Johnson family. I pray that you find comfort and peace as you grieve the loss of a special one of us. Fair winds and following seas, Bobby!
Van and Scooter
November 13, 2019
Bobby brought people together. Because of him, my husband and I met at Foundry. He was such a generous and kind leader.
Charlie Helfinstine
November 13, 2019
Truly heartbreaking. Bobby Johnson was a gentleman of the highest character. It's hard to express the admiration I have for the man, but my story is I was a young engineer with Foundry Networks when my wife was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Bobby personally saw to it that my family was supported through care at the best hospitals we could find. He treated us as family and with great kindness. This is but one story of likely many others that speak to Bobby's loyalty and generosity. I am personally heartbroken to hear of his passing. Condolences to the entire family.
November 13, 2019
Bobby was just brilliant. Smart as a tack. He was hard but fair. I lost count of the many times we shouted over the phone. However we always comprised. Such a generous CEO and humanitarian to communities. So sad to see him pass away too early. The world needs more people like Bobby Johnson. Deepest condolences to his family.
Spencer Visconti
November 13, 2019
Terrible... I am truly saddened by this news. Foundry was the start of my career as a Systems Engineer and working in Silicon valley is a time I will always remember as the golden years of my career. Bobby was truly a man with a very Big heart and showed very often he cared deeply for the people who worked for him. My sincerest thanks to his family for sharing him with all of us for so many years. I have thought of Bobby and my time at Foundry so often over the years... now those memories shall be even more cherished. I owe so much to Foundry and to Bobby Johnson. You are truly missed.
David Anthony
November 13, 2019
This is terribly sad. My condolences go out to Donna and the entire Johnson family. Bobby had a central role in the life my family enjoys today. My time with him at Foundry Networks was the hardest and most-rewarding time in my professional career and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you Mr. Johnson.
Chris Bischoff
November 13, 2019
Please accept my sincere condolences. Bobby was an amazing person. It was a most memorable experience working with Bobby and his teams at Centillion and Foundry.
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