Services for Robert Victor Johnson will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 185 N. Oak Harbor Street, Oak Harbor, with Rev. Robert Rhimes, S.J., officiating. Full military honors will follow under the auspices of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Honor Guard. Burial at sea by the U.S. Navy will be held.

Robert V. “Bob” Johnson, 82, died Aug. 12, 2003. He was born Aug. 16, 1920, in Chicago. Following high school, Bob attended Wright Junior College in Chicago for two years. World War II began, and Bob entered the U.S. Navy as a cadet. He was awarded his aviator wings in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1944. Before leaving for combat duty in the Pacific, where he flew the PV-1 Ventura bomber, he married Patricia Helen Montague in Lake City, Fla., July 24, 1944.

Following the end of the war, Mr. Johnson left active duty and was transferred to the reserves. He operated a service station in Chicago. He and Patricia began their family with four children. With the start of the Korean War, Bob returned to active duty. He served as a military transport pilot flying the R5-D (C-54) Skymaster. His military service was centered on the East Coast, flying from Westover Air Base to Germany via the Azores. During this time a fifth child was born.

Bob remained on active duty following the war. In 1953, he was transferred to Hickam Field in Honolulu, where he was assigned to fly the C-121 Constellation. In 1957, he and his family were sent to Moffett Field, Santa Clara, Calif., where they remained until 1965. At Whidbey Island Naval Air Station he was assigned as senior pilot for the admiral, flying the C-54 Skymaster and the C-130 Hercules. He faced mandatory retirement, but was allowed to stay in service for one additional year, until the Navy could find his replacement. He left the Navy June 30, 1971, as a lieutenant commander with more than 29 years of service and a veteran of three wars, including Vietnam.

Mr. Johnson returned to school after retirement, obtaining his associate of arts Degree at Skagit Valley College. He also worked at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church and donated hundreds of hours of volunteer time.

Bob purchased 10 acres in Oak Harbor and enjoyed his home and collecting “stuff.” He also loved gardening, receiving his certification as a Master Gardener through WSU. He was a bowler, golfer, bridge player and a member of TROA. For many years, Bob was an active member of the Skagit Old Car Club, sharing his love for classic convertibles.

Bob Johnson is survived by his wife Pat at the family home; by five children and their spouses: Thomas Victor Johnson and wife Lane of Anacortes; Robert William Johnson and wife Tobie and George Richard Johnson and wife Dee, all of Oak Harbor; Suzanne Patricia Lynn and husband John of Mountain Home, Idaho, and James Raymond Johnson and Alina of Alexandria, Va.

Ten grandchildren, Veronica Johnson of San Francisco; Samantha Stevenson, Jennifer JoHahnson and Karrie Kropf, all of Seattle; Nancy and James Johnson, both of Oak Harbor; Dena and Betsy Lynn of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Zachary and Alex Johnson, both of Woodbridge, Va., and one sister Marie Revesz of Oak Harbor and two great-grandchildren, Iris Emma Stevenson and Nicholas JoHahnson of Seattle also survive.

Memorials may be made to St. Augustine’s Catholic Church Building Fund. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.