Obituaries | 1960-1969

Categories Obituaries | 1960-1969Posted on

John Corn ’63

John Corn ’63 passed away on July 13, 2018 at the age of 77. At Wesleyan, he majored in government and later earned his MBA in economics from the University of Chicago. He is survived by his brother, Joseph Corn.

Categories Obituaries | 1960-1969Posted on

Robert L. Johnson ’61

Robert “Bob” Johnson ’61 passed away on Oct. 10, 2018 at his home in Nokomis, Fla. He is survived by his wife Suzanne; his sons, Kendall of Rye, N.Y., and Robert of Sydney, Australia; three grandchildren, Schuyler, Bowen, and Sloane of Rye; his sister Elizabeth Annin of La Crescenta, Calif.; and two brothers, James of Granite City, Ill., and Richard of Alton, Ill.

Bob battled prostate cancer with intelligence, courage and without complaint for nearly 20 years, taking charge of his own health and counseling others with this disease. Despite the difficulties he faced, he never gave up hope or lost faith.

Bob attended the Bronxville Elementary School before earning a scholarship to Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y. He graduated with the Class of 1957. He served Hackley School for more than 60 years as class secretary, class representative, chair of multiple class reunions, chair of the 50+ Club, and as a director of the alumni association. In 2012 he received the Hackley Alumni Association’s Alumni Service Award, which recognizes a record of service rather than a single act or achievement. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association.

While at Wesleyan, Bob majored in English, studying under a few special professors, most notably Richard Wilbur MA’58 who went on to become the first Poet Laureate of the U.S. Bob was a member of Delta Tau Delta, and enjoyed singing. Later in his life was a member of Dr. Schuller’s Hour of Power Crystal Cathedral Choir, the Venice (Florida) Chorale, and he sang with his wife Suzanne in the Chancel Choir at Venice Presbyterian Church.

During his 40-year professional career, Bob held senior executive positions in the fields of publishing, printing, and paper, at companies including Time Inc., Macmillan, Abitibi-Price, and R. R. Donnelley. His hobbies included golf and travel, and he was proud of the fact that he visited 49 countries.

During his time as a resident of Bronxville, N.Y., he was a member of the Field Club, Siwanoy, and The Camp Fire Club in Chappaqua, N.Y. He was an elder on Great Consistory of The Reformed Church. As president of Lawrence Park Hilltop Association, he guided the process for this neighborhood to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. He also launched the project of creating a book titled, Lawrence Park, Bronxville’s Turn-of-the-Century Art Colony.

Among his other civic activities while living in Westchester, Bob was a director of Lake Isle Country Club during its formative years, president of the Men’s Republican Club of Bronxville, and a candidate for councilman of the Eastchester Town Board, vice president of the Bronxville PTA, and chairman of United Way of BET.

In retirement, he spent part of each year in Florida and was an ordained elder serving on Session of Venice Presbyterian Church, where he contributed to many activities, including the Endowment Committee, the Men’s Discussion Group, and the Lenten Worship Guide. He also served on the planning committee of Peace River Presbytery. Bob and Suzanne belonged to Mission Valley Golf & Country Club, where he at one time served as vice president and a director. He also was an active supporter of the Venice Symphony.

Condolences can be addressed to Suzanne Johnson at 2438 Sonoma Drive West, Nokomis, FL 34275.

We thank John Gannon ’86 for this heartfelt obituary.