Rev. Robert T. Johnson

Reverend Robert Temple, “Bob” Johnson of Farmington, CT passed away peacefully on Monday, August 28th. He is survived by his first cousins Bev Eliot, Yvonne Rose and Kay Coxson; his wife Sandra Johnson of Southbury, CT; his son Mark Johnson, his wife Betsy of Morris, CT and their sons Clark, Benjamin and Samuel; his daughter Amy Johnson of Fairhope, AL and her stepchildren Maja, Christine and Benjamin; his son Joshua Johnson of Boise, ID and his children Lily, Joshua Jr, Jacob and Madison. 

As the son of Arvid Oscar, “Swanny” Johnson and Edith Alyce Temple, Bob enjoyed an idyllic childhood and great closeness with his extended family, spending much precious time with his sister Barbara, aunts, uncle, cousins and grandmother. He could be found hopping ice flows across the Allegheny River or running amok through the steep streets of his hometown of Oil City, PA in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s with his pals known as the “Innis Street Gang.” As a young teen, Bob delivered feed for his father’s grist mill to outlying towns where he garnered a respect for the tight knit nature of the farming families and relationships he developed with them, and often spoke of that experience of community as having greatly influenced his vocational pursuits. 

The first and only member of his extended family to pursue a secondary education, Bob received a Bachelor of Arts from Grove City College, a Masters of Divinity from Yale University and a Masters in Theology from Columbia University’s Union Seminary. As an ordained member of the Methodist clergy, Bob’s first service was to Cochranton United Methodist Church, PA. In 1967, he and his wife Diane moved their family to Brooklyn, NY. In 1968, Bob received appointment to Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel, CT where he would remain in service for 33 years until his retirement. While there he also served as Chairman of the Board of Education for 7 years, was an active member of the Democratic party, member of the Bethel ecumenical association, member of the suicide prevention initiative, coached softball, and otherwise dedicated himself in countless ways to what he considered his greatest honor: that of serving the people and families of Bethel’s church and greater community.

A sower of seeds, lover of children, advocate for the downtrodden, confidante of the aged and religious counsel for the ill, injured and grieving, Bob was also a devoted husband and steadfast father, father-in-law and grandfather, whose faith in a loving God was his greatest and quietest strength.

Calling hours are being held at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, CT on September 9, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Private burial will take place for family members at Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel

A memorial service will be held on October 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 141 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, CT.

In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family requests that if you are able and of the means, to please plant a tree. 

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