Robert Lee Johnson — Beloved Husband, Cherished Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Devoted Educator, and Lifelong Friend to Many

Robert Lee Johnson, 88, of New Castle, Indiana, passed away on November 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in New Castle, Indiana, on July 31, 1937, to the late Leonard Ira and Ramona Campbell Johnson. Robert “Bob” graduated from New Castle High School in 1955. He attended Purdue University (1955-57) and Ball State Teachers College (1957-59), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from Ball State University in 1965. He also completed summer educational classes at Murray State University, Kentucky, in 1968.

Bob began his professional career at Riverside High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1959-62), teaching woodworking. In the summer of 1962, he returned to New Castle, dedicating 37 years to teaching electricity, electronics, and photography (1962-99) at Walter P. Chrysler Memorial (New Castle Chrysler/New Castle) High School. His commitment to education extended beyond the classroom in numerous ways. He served as Industrial Arts Department chair for many years, managed the Bundy Auditorium after its opening in 1972 until a few years after retirement, and established and led the Bundy Student Technical Staff, always providing students with opportunities to learn and grow. Bob also managed the high school basketball and football concessions. After retirement, he worked with the New Castle Correctional Facility’s work release program, taught students with special needs one-on-one for several years, and during the NCCHS renovation project, he managed the high school departments’ budget, classrooms and equipment facilities move.

Bob and Edith were college sweethearts — He met his beloved wife, Edith Frances Herrmann, at Ball State Teachers College where they worked in Teaching Materials Services. They were married on June 6, 1959, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Muncie, Indiana. Bob was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in New Castle and served on the parish council, embodying his faith through acts of service to others.

Together, Bob and Edith traveled extensively. They cherished a memorable three-week road trip in 2000 with their treasured grandchildren across the US from Indiana to California and into Mexico. Their adventures included vacations to Seattle, Vancouver, an Alaskan sea and rail cruise, all but one of the Canadian Providences, and explored the Mayan ruins in Cancun. Bob visited 47 states, Canada, Mexico, and England. Over the years, he went on educational US military visits and drove and chaperoned NCCHS Health Occupations students as well as National Science Fair candidates to competitions in numerous cities across the US.

An avid reader of history, aviation, and adventure, Bob loved classic Westerns and science fiction. He was also a gifted photographer, woodworker, and electrician, passing his talents to his children. His passion for collecting diecast airplanes and constructing over 1,400 plastic model airplanes earned him many awards. He enjoyed visiting Civil War museums and battlegrounds with Edith and with his late, close friend Daniel Caffoe. Countless family and dear friends have been the grateful recipients of Bob’s generosity and talent from home and business electrical wiring, woodworking, painting, and organizing trips to air shows and museums — a favorite was the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Many family and dear friends, such as Donald Geozeff and Paul Milam, enjoyed countless trips due to Bob.

Bob was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, (great) “Grandpa Bob”, and friend whose legacy of kindness and generosity touched countless lives. He would do for others 25 times over, went above and beyond for those he loved, was an advocate for vulnerable groups, and he was the kind of grandpa every child hopes for, sharing his knowledge, skills, and stories. He and Edith spent decades biking the trail systems throughout IN, MI, OH, MO, MD, and PA, cycling over 1,200 miles on the Cardinal Greenway in their last biking season. In his early years of cycling, he was a member of the New Castle Biking Club.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Edith Frances Johnson; children Christina (Brian) Covey of Orient, Ohio, Robert David (Tammy) Johnson of New Castle, and Kathleen Johnson of Greenwood, Indiana; sister, Ann (Dale) Kendall; 5 grandchildren: Sarah (Bobby) Austin, Christopher (Marissa) Johnson, Samantha (Marcus) Schmidt, Katlyn (Levi) Lowe, and Susannah (Alexander) Schneider; 12 great-grandchildren: Owen, Lillian, Luke, and Emilia Austin, Anna, Adam, Jenna, and Jared Schmidt, Peter and Thomas Schneider, Dakota Johnson, and Jemma Lowe; brothers-in-law Leo and Joseph (Vicki) Herrmann, and Jack Fayhee; and countless cherished nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters-in-law – Rita, Margaret, Marilyn, Carolyn, and Wanita (Leo) Herrmann, Anne (Casper) Drew, Rosemary (Gordon) Fleming, Marie (John) Frait, Kathleen (Jack) Fayhee; brothers-in-law – Richard, Louis, and Gerald Herrmann, Casper Drew, Gordon Fleming, and John Frait.

Family and friends may call on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM for visitation at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rushville, Indiana. A Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM at St. Mary, with Rev. James Farrel officiating. Rite of Committal will immediately follow in Rushville’s Calvary Cemetery. The St. Mary Community and the Johnson / Covey families invite family and friends to a luncheon upon their return from the cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Robert’s name may be made to:

Kobacker House — 3430 OhioHealth Pkway. Columbus, OH 43202 or: www.giving.ohiohealth.com/hospice;

Little Red Door Cancer Agency — 413 S. Tillotson Ave., Unit 3. Muncie, IN 47304 or: www.littlereddoor.org; or

Henry County Community Foundation — 700 S. Memorial Dr. New Castle, IN 47362 or: www.henrycountycf.org (select Memorial Fund).

Please light a candle and share your memories with the family at www.ToddFuneralHome.com.