Robert L. Johnson

Robert L. Johnson of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025, at the age of 87.
     Born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, on October 11, 1937, Bob was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University, and later completed a master’s degree and a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh—both while working full-time, attending classes at night.
     Bob spent his entire career at Westinghouse R&D, where he specialized in stress analysis and life prediction of power generation equipment, both nuclear and conventional. He was widely respected in his field. In 1979 he was elected as national president of the Society for Experimental Stress Analysis (now known as the Society for Experimental Mechanics), and in 1984 the organization honored him with the F. G. Tatnall Award for his long and distinguished service.
     Bob had a lifelong love of trains—particularly the Pennsylvania Railroad. His interest began in 1941, when he received an inexpensive Lionel freight train for Christmas. Over the years, he became an expert on PRR history. He was actively involved with the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society, serving as a member of its very first board of directors and as editor of its magazine, The Keystone. He was instrumental in organizing, cataloging, preserving, and maintaining the collection of historical materials at the Lewistown train station. He spent countless hours doing research at various archives, culminating in the 2021 publication of the book Pennsylvania Railroad Cabin Cars: Revenue and Work Equipment, 1860–1988. (“Cabin cars” is the PRR term for cabooses.)
     Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Judith D. Johnson; daughters Ann N’Gadi and Elizabeth Johnson; grandsons Anase N’Gadi and Alexander Uyttendaele; and brothers Thomas E. Johnson and James B. Johnson.
     A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, starting at 2 p.m. at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Bob’s memory to a charity of your choice or to PRRT&HS (https://www.prrths.org/).

For online condolences, please visit www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert L. Johnson, please visit our floral store.