Robert E. Johnson, simply known as “Bob” by his friends and family, is now being remembered by his friends, family, students and colleagues for his commitment to the community after passing away late last month.

Johnson, who lived in Mansfield Township and was a graduate of Washington High School (now Warren Hills), was an athlete, teacher, coach, volunteer and sports writer over the years.

Johnson, who was 75, was a 1960 graduate of Washington High School. He later received his Undergraduate degree at Montclair State and his Masters of Mathematics at SUNY Buffalo, NY. Johnson taught Math for 39 years, 32 years at West Morris Central High School in Chester. He also worked as an Adjunct Professor at Centenary College, Rutgers University, and Warren County Community College during summers and after retiring from West Morris. He received The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in 1988. He was the semi-finalist for Outstanding Teacher of Math from Princeton, and was named an Outstanding Educator from the College of NJ in 2001.

Many knew Johnson for his love of sports. He coached youth baseball in Washington for many years and during his teaching career he coached baseball at Hunterdon Central and West Morris; softball at Pebble Hill and Hackettstown High School; boys and girls basketball at West Morris; boys basketball at Pebble Hill and Hunterdon Central along with Wrestling; football at Pebble Hill and Hunterdon Central. During his summer vacation he was the Recreation director at the Washington Borough Park and was the Founder of the Men’s Basketball League.

After retiring from coaching, Johnson spent many years in the early to late 1980s covering Warren Hills sports teams for The Star-Gazette. He particularly loved covering the football team.

Johnson is a member of the West Morris High School Wall of Fame and the Warren Hills Hall of Fame with the 1958 Baseball team. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, NJ. Over the years he served as Deacon and was the Benevolent Treasurer of the church. He was a member of the Choir, Bible Study, and Newsletter groups. He was a volunteer for Meals at Home and a member of the Fairway Valley Golf Club. He loved playing golf and watching baseball, where he would keep the stats of every game he watched or attended.

Johnson enjoyed music and his kitty cats. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn (Paini) Johnson; a daughter, Stephanie Heller, of Allentown, PA; a sister, Janice J. Wiley, of Brigantine, NJ; and a niece, Christyne Chiacchia, of Hopewell Junction, NY. Bob’s first wife, Susan Daub Johnson, and a daughter, Kimberly S. Johnson, preceded him in death. A Memorial Service was held  March 10.

Memorials may be made to the Music Continuation Fund of First Presbyterian Church and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The DeVoe Funeral Service in Washington was entrusted with his arrangements.