Robert Lincoln Johnson

Robert L. Johnson, Jr., PhD Hon. ("Bob") passed away peacefully at home during the early morning hours of December 29, 2025. Born during a snow storm in February of 1945, Bob chose a similar night to leave his beloved home and family.

Bob was born and raised in Southern Vermont, where he spent the vast majority of his eighty years. He grew up on a farm and never lost his love for animals and green spaces. In his later years, he became a fervent admirer of the Soay sheep breed, a semi-feral independent sheep native to a small island off of Scotland. After importing several Soay sheep, Bob began a large herd at his home which gave him great joy.

Bob was a brilliant scientist and an unconventional businessman, a serial entrepreneur who is best known for founding Omega Optical, Inc., a cutting edge thin-film optics business that originated in a hobby shed in his backyard in West Brattleboro and grew exponentially to be a major local employer. In addition to Omega, Bob founded or inspired multiple businesses over the years, including Solar Hill, Friends of the Sun, the Neighborhood Schoolhouse, Recycled Auto Parts, Rapid Spectral Solutions, and the Delta Campus where Omega is now based. Bob was vocal throughout his lifetime about his belief in the need to be a responsible member of society, working to better the lives of his employees, friends, family, and casual acquaintances. Bob had an eternal belief in the general goodness of people. He strongly supported environmental and energy awareness and was constantly trying even in his final days to come up with innovative but workable solutions to societal ills and the climate crisis.

Bob fought a long but losing battle with amyloidosis, maintaining his sense of optimism and will to live in the face of incredible odds and despite repeated hospitalizations. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Wanda (Meriems) Johnson, and in the great tragedy of his life, by his son Dylan Paul Johnson. Bob is survived by his daughter, Maryam Hadden, and sons, Robin Johnson and Owen Thompson; his former spouse and dearest friend Elaine Johnson; daughters-in-law Larisa Volkavichyute and Katie (Berry) Thompson; grandchildren Kristopher and Samantha Lipkansky, and Kolya and Lova Johnson; sister Carol Johnson-Collins (Fred Collins) and her children and grand-children, Seth Johnson-Collins, Eliza Johnson-Collins Weissberger (David Weissberger) and Asher and Felix Weissberger; brother Colman "Cordy" Johnson; Peg Eves; Barry Fehl; and many friends and extended relatives whose lives he impacted greatly but too briefly. He is gone too soon and will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that if so moved, you donate to the environmental preservation society of your preference.