Robert D. (Bob) Johnston, age 73, of Waterford, died Friday, November 20, 2009 at home following a brief illness. Born in Wilkinsburg, PA on March 13, 1936, he was a son of the late Edgar and Mary Louise Lather Johnston.
Johnston, Robert D. (Bob)Bob lived most of his life in Erie, moving to the Waterford area in 1976. He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie in 1953, and then proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1955. Bob retired in 1996 from General Electric, where he worked for 38 years as a machinist and a gauge room inspector.
Bob was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates fan and enjoyed watching games with his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Edgar, his in-laws Katherine and Harry Ball, and his brother-in-law Gerald Ball.
Bob married Jacqueline Ball Johnston on March 3, 1962. They celebrated 47 years of marriage before he passed away. They are survived by daughter Sandra (Matt) Talkish of Waterford and their children, Matthew of Erie, Bryan of Pittsburgh, Kelly at home, and grand dog Daisy; daughter Diane (Bradley) Neal and their children, Kady and Steven at home; son Richard (Michele Gardner) and grand dog Mona; his brother James (Carolyn) Johnston of Erie and their family; four sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Visiting hours will be at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford, on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral services will be there on Tuesday at 11:00am officiated by Pastor Glenn Wills of the Edinboro Nazarene Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Regional Cancer Center of Erie or the Arbor Day Foundation.