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Robert Johnson Obituary
DR. ROBERT W. JOHNSON
Dr. Robert W Johnson, a long-time resident of Vienna, Virginia and practitioner and professor of psychiatry in the Washington area for almost 40 years died September 23, 2023 at his home in Vienna after a lengthy illness. At his passing he was surrounded by music, loving family and friends.
Robert William Johnson was born January 30, 1954 in Beloit, Wisconsin, the youngest of four siblings. He attended Madison Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin until the family moved to Vienna Virginia when his father began working for the US Department of State in Washington, DC in 1970. He was a member of the class of 1972 at James Madison High School in Vienna, where he sang in the Madison Madrigals under the direction of Robert Shaffer.
Dr. Johnson completed his undergraduate studies at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. He was a member of the Augustana Choir directed by Dr. Don Morrison, through which he met his wife, Martha Wilkerson. He graduated summa cum laude in 1976 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He and Martha married in 1977.
In 1980 Dr. Johnson received his Medical Degree from the Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois and completed his residency in Psychiatry in 1984 at the Medical College of Wisconsin where he was chief resident. Also in 1984 the family relocated to Northern Virginia where he did a psychiatric consultation liaison fellowship through Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia and Georgetown University under the tutelage of Dr. Tom Wise. He was a private practitioner in Falls Church and an enthusiastic teacher of psychiatric residents and fellows through Georgetown University and family practice residents through Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Johnson also founded the NVPCMH collaborative, a group created to enable mental health caretakers throughout the discipline to connect, consult and share with each other their collective wisdom. For this he was recognized with a special award from
The Washington Psychiatric Society. He was a member of many professional groups, including the aforementioned WPS, the Psychiatric Society of Virginia and was a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
Dr. Johnson was an avid baseball fan and he and Martha could be frequently seen cycling on the W & OD bike path while his health permitted. He also enjoyed composing, arranging and singing music and playing various musical instruments in church choir and with family and friends. His love for music was contagious and was a sustaining and important presence in his life.
Dr. Johnson is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Martha; their daughters Amelia Saris and husband James of Frederick, Maryland, and Lili Jackson and husband Kenneth of Sterling, Virginia and Bob-Bob's and Doll's three adored and adoring grandchildren: Walt Saris and Beau and Bella Jackson.
He is also survived by siblings Don and Vicki Johnson of Grand Junction, CO; Ray and Mary Ann Johnson of Dallas, TX; Grace and Greg Stapko of Big Bear, CA and in-laws Timothy and Robin Wilkerson of Kingsport, TN and Jeff Tyler of Denver, CO and was a doting Uncle Bob to nine nieces and nephews. He will be missed by their dog, Bootsie.
A celebration of his life will be held October 30 at 1 p.m. at the Barns of Wolf Trap, in the German barn. Donations in his name can be directed to the Humane Society of the United States or Planned Parenthood.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Johnson
Craig Clark
February 14, 2026
To become an effective Family Physician there are many things to learn, and Bob taught me some of the most important things. He did it simply by easily sharing his thoughts and his heart. Doing it as a friend made it so much easier for me to integrate the best of Bob. It's made me a better, happier Craig, so thank you Bob for simply being and sharing you.
Caroline Collins
October 2, 2025
Still miss you very much Dr. Johnson, Bob, and remember you so often. Miss sharing music with you and your Emily Dickinson quotes. Your goodness, your wit, your heart all shined so bright. Your memory truly is a blessing and your care still shines a light when there´s darkness.
Craig Clark
October 2, 2025
Thank you Bob, you shared your warm heart so easily, I still enjoy the way it helped and still helps to make me the man I'm happy to be and share . Yes Bob, your thoughts and heart are still making our world a better place.
Marguerita Schroth
December 18, 2024
So often Dr. Johnson is in my thoughts. And at this time of the year so too are his family. Thinking of you all, especially during the holiday season. Take care, Marguerita.
How you can show support
Diane Carroad
December 18, 2024
Over a year since Dr. Bob Johnson has passed away. Still miss him so much. I relate to what every individual has posted below. He was my doctor for a long time and replacing him has been impossible. Thinking about him, I see and hear his joy, his wit, his optimism and sense his total understanding. Miss him so much. I hope his family has been able to continue on. The loss is just so great for all of us.
Rebecca Pick
October 2, 2024
I miss Dr. Robert Johnson - such a caring, empathetic, & wonderful human Being!
Marsha T Wallace MD
October 2, 2024
Like so many, if not most, of his patients, Bob was my good friend and probably knew me better than my siblings. ^He was my touchstone and saw me through the most difficult time in my life.I still can't believe this compassionate, sweet man has been taken from us . I hate that he had to endure such a long and arduous health battle during which he always tried to sound positive and hopeful. I think we all feel it's just not fair. I miss him so much but what I can do to honor his memory is to be kind to people even when it's a challenge and to sing the Rice Krispies song. Bob..you were so loved. Condolences again to his lovely family on this sad anniversary.
Jim Cassatt
May 21, 2024
My late wife was a patient of Bob's. I attended most of her sessions. In addition to being her doctor, he was a friend, a friend I would often meet while cycling on the W&OD trail. He is missed.
Cynthia F Fisher
February 28, 2024
Dr. Johnson was the best doctor I have ever had. We grew up three counties apart. As Midwesterners, we understood each other very well and the culture in which we were raised. I miss his very much. C
Richard A.Walsh Sr
December 30, 2023
I first met Dr.Bob in April 1986,at Fairfax Hospital. This was the day after one of the dumbest things I did in my life. Bob was not only my Doctor he was my friend and confidant for what is now 37 years of professional treatment. Me and my extended family are forever grateful for his care. My Condolences to Martha and family.
Harvey Shymanski
December 15, 2023
Over a 10 year period before I moved to NY, Dr Johnson (Bob) helped me overcome a very long difficult illness. I was ordering my annual See´s Candy Christmas chocolates and found out Bob has left us. He was a compassionate wonderful man, the likes of which I may never find again. I will miss you my friend.
Rebecca
December 8, 2023
Dr. Bob Johnson was such a compassionate & kind person. He will be missed by all that knew him. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family.
Diane Carroad
November 30, 2023
Dr. Robert Johnson was one of the most insightful, brilliant, compassionate, and realistically upbeat physicians I've ever met. A very unique doctor with a heart of gold and brain that shined. I miss him deeply.
Sean L
November 27, 2023
Doctor Johnson helped save my life. I'm eternally grateful. He was intelligent, kind, and light hearted.
Betty Doyle
November 21, 2023
Thank you for being there for me for the last thirty years, Dr. J. I am sure you are now shielding all of us with your wings and still guiding us. Love.
Erica Hadley
November 1, 2023
I am a long time patient of Dr. J, I will miss him terribly. He became like a family member, only better lol! He got me through some very difficult times and as I saw in some other tributes, he was a chemical genius. He always knew the right med, at the right time, that ended up working miraculously well in record time. I know his last days were difficult, any time I spoke with him, he never once complained about what was going on with him. I left every meeting and phone call with "I love you Dr. J" and have nothing but wonderful treasured memories of conversations and laughs. He had an incredible sense of humor and love of life. He was so proud of his beautiful family.
I'm sure he is missed by so many, and I will always remember all he did for me. Love and prayers to all his family and friends.
Tom Dwyer
October 31, 2023
Martha: I am very sorry of hear of Bob´s passing. I was going to say that they don´t make `em like Bob any more, but actually they never did. He was one of a kind.
Priscilla Bumbaca
October 30, 2023
Thank you, Martha and family, for the service today. You just don't know how much it meant to those of us who were cared for by Dr. Bob. In the weeks after I received the registered letter notifying me of his death, I spent much time trying to find a way to honor him. I was so grateful to see the obituary and notice of the service today. I have dealt with the deaths of my parents, many cats, and in-laws, all of whom I loved dearly. But Dr. Bob's death has affected me in a way it's hard for me to describe. It's like a part of my foundation has been ripped away. He was a rock for me. I am so grateful to have known him. In our talks it was very evident that he loved his family. Bless you all.
David R Boyer
October 30, 2023
I am deeply saddened to learn of Bob's passing. It is true that Bob was my Doctor and I was his patient, but it is also true that Bob and I considered each other friends. I will be eternally grateful to Bob, because he got me out of the deepest depression spiral I had ever experienced. It took the better part of a year, but Bob was patient and helped me rebuild my capacity to manage my wildly vacillating emotions. There are many stories listed here about how Bob helped people who desperately needed someone who could tell them how to cope. He did so much of that for me. My only regret is that I could not return that favor and do something to make him well. He deserved to be be well. Goodbye, my friend.
Janet Norquist
October 18, 2023
Sending oceans of love to you, Martha. Just thought I'd share this recollection: Among his many accomplishments, Bob Johnson wrote a poem that went something like this:
"Moon, June, spoon,
Love, dove, heaven above..."
Love, Janet Norquist
Craig Clark
October 16, 2023
We´ve all been blessed having Bob in our lives. He shared his heart with his words in such a warm caring way the good things he believed in would stay with you. Having Bob inside simply makes it easier m and more possible to shape our lives and our world into the way we dream and believe it can be. It didn´t matter if Bob was with you as a doctor, a teacher, or a friend, what mattered was Bob was with you. Having Bob´s love with us means and our lives are and will continue to be better.
Melissa
October 15, 2023
Due to the powerful repercussions of a misdiagnosis in early adolescence, too many unquestioning providers and their onslaught of pill solutions, I was a hopelessly lost collector of traumatic experiences by the time I met Dr. Johnson.
Dr. Johnson was an angel to my life. I had been dozens of doctors. None took a moment to consider things as deeply as Dr. Johnson did. Within a few months of working together, he began to unravel the enormous chemical mess pile of pills. I think it is worth noting how incredibly adept he was at navigating medication changes- truly skilled- and his "spidey senses" aided the process impeccably as we reduced the mountain of medications and made calculated changes. Within the first year or so, he shared his feeling that I had been misdiagnosed altogether. Slowly, carefully, we reduced all medications, and I have been free from that diagnosis, and free from those heavy medications for over 15 years.
It can be said he was just doing his job extremely well, but I I feel he saved my life. He pulled me out of a chronic mess that no other licensed provider could see for what it was. I also didn´t see it. He didn´t just throw more pills at the dumpster fire that was my life and collect money. He was an amazing, thoughtful, insightful, intuitive, caring human and I was extraordinarily blessed to have been introduced to him. In those first few years, his impact was profound. As the years went on, and I began to flourish, he made sure to deflect some of the credit and make sure that I was recognizing my own strengths and contributions to the circumstances. However, both of us knew that, at least for a moment in time, he rescued me from a very severe, traumatic, unnecessary trajectory. I will always feel grateful and indebted.
Dr. Johnson was a very special man. He was witty, smart, kind, and patient. He is truly one of the best, most admirable people I´ve ever met in my life. I learned so much from him, and enjoyed engaging in conversations ranging from complex ideas and theories to simple, every day perspectives. The words that are with me most often are reflective of a conversation where we debated the efficacy of positive impacts. I remember him talking about just `brightening up the corner you´re on.´ This is now a sentiment I think of quite regularly- and it´s something I seek to incorporate in my life. It´s certainly something that he always did for the many years that I knew him. The world has lost a truly amazing person with a heart of gold. I am so saddened by this immense loss, because Dr. Johnson deserved the absolute best.
Priscilla Bumbaca
October 11, 2023
Dr. Bob has been there for me since 1985, when I was 24 years old. I don't believe most people are lucky enough to have a doctor that long. He helped me through many crises in my life with kindness and wisdom. My life has been richer because of him. Godspeed!
Marsha T Wallace, MD
October 9, 2023
I was just about to post a note to Bob,having heard that he had closed his practice. Offering some hope for the future, I also wanted to reiterate how fortunate I was to have him in my inner circle. He was my therapist since 1991,but he was also my friend and colleague. Always patient and empathic, he had a wonderful sense of humor. He never played the victim,whether before or after his recent problems. Karma certainly short-circutied when it first struck him down a few years ago. I could not understand how someone so good to his inner core had to endure such lengthy and debilitating trials. Yet,when we spoke, he always tried to put on a brave face, even as he faced innumerable challenges ,being protective of my emotions, forever the caretaker. He was a calm steady presence in my life that I could always depend upon . I don't know what I would have done without him. The world has lost a true "mensch" and I have lost a very dear friend. My deepest sympathies to his family,friends,and so many other whose lives he touched for the better. He wil be terribly missed by all.
Mary Linda Sara, PhD
October 9, 2023
I remember celebrating Bob's 60th birthday with Martha and several colleagues at Brios at Tyson's corner. I will miss him and his smile.
Bill MacReynolds
October 8, 2023
Bob was the kindest person to be with and was a tremendous role model. I loved doing music with Martha and him. He has a wonderful and loving family.
Caroline R. Collins
October 8, 2023
A heart of gold, a generosity as expansive as the sea, a literal polymath AND kind as the day is long. Bob Johnson was a remarkable physician - how wholly inadequate those words feel. His thoughtfulness, his wit, his humor (so smart, so dry that often only after hours (or days) would I grasp a joke he´d woven deep into the fabric of a conversation - how can such things, how can such a human being be so ephemeral?
We once spoke of the ache of knowing how many books we´ll never get a chance to read in our lifetimes, this melancholy in juxtaposition with the joy inherent in the human capacity to feel such a love for the written word (or musical, or human connection, &c., &c., &c.). What a beautiful thing to experience the depth joy and sadness you do, Dr. Johnson remarked (and I paraphrase, not doing him nor the moment justice)
What a privilege it was to have known and been cared for by Bob. I offer my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his family and loving community.
Martha Wilkerson
October 8, 2023
A life so very well lived. He touched the hearts and souls of so very many people, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Martha Dodge Wilkerson
Ray and Mary Ann
October 8, 2023
He holds a very special place in our hearts, forever. We hold our family dear, with so much love.
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