Robert L. Johnson

1937 - 2025

Robert L. Johnson, of Murrysville, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Lewistown, on Oct. 11, 1937, Bob was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University and later completed a master's degree and a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh both while working full-time and attending classes at night. Bob spent his entire career at Westinghouse R&D, where he specialized in stress analysis and life prediction of power generation equipment, both nuclear and conventional. He was widely respected in his field. In 1979, he was elected as national president of the Society for Experimental Stress Analysis (now known as the Society for Experimental Mechanics), and in 1984 the organization honored him with the F. G. Tatnall Award for his long and distinguished service. Bob had a lifelong love of trains particularly the Pennsylvania Railroad. His interest began in 1941, when he received an inexpensive Lionel freight train for Christmas. Over the years, he became an expert on PRR history. He was actively involved with the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society, serving as a member of its very first board of directors and as editor of its magazine, The Keystone. He was instrumental in organizing, cataloging, preserving, and maintaining the collection of historical materials at the Lewistown train station. He spent countless hours doing research at various archives, culminating in the 2021 publication of the book Pennsylvania Railroad Cabin Cars: Revenue and Work Equipment, 1860 to 1988. ("Cabin cars" is the PRR term for cabooses.) Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Judith D. Johnson; daughters, Ann N'Gadi and Elizabeth Johnson; grandsons, Anase N'Gadi and Alexander Uyttendaele; and brothers, Thomas E. Johnson and James B. Johnson. A memorial service will be held starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Bob's memory to a charity of your choice or to PRRT&HS (https://www.prrths.org/). For online condolences, please visit www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com.