Robert P. Johnson, Pa. District Court judge, public servant, dies at 94
“He just enjoyed serving the community,” said his daughter Kathleen Johnson. “He was able to meet so many people in his role. He was a very social, people-oriented person."
Robert P. Johnson, 94, a public servant whose career spanned all three branches of government, died from cancer Sunday, April 25, at Beaumont Retirement Community in Bryn Mawr.
Mr. Johnson’s first post in public service came in 1954 when Pennsylvania Gov. John Fine appointed him to fill a vacancy for justice of the peace. He later ran for election and won the post the following year. As a Magisterial District Court judge, his courtroom — which handled civil, traffic, and criminal cases — was one of the busiest in the state. But according to his family, conducting weddings was one of his favorite duties.
Mr. Johnson had at one time planned to join the FBI; he had even been accepted, his daughter Kathleen Johnson said. But that was before he had experience with the courts. “Then I guess everything fell into place.”
In addition to his 27 years on the bench, Mr. Johnson served in the state legislature, in the House and Senate. He was also appointed to the Milk Control Board and the state Crime Commission, and served as the Governor’s Justice Commissioner for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.
In 1984, Mr. Johnson received a Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Order signed by then-Chief Justice Robert N.C. Nix Jr. in recognition of his distinguished service to all three branches of government over 30 years.
“He just enjoyed serving the community,” said his daughter. “He was able to meet so many people in his role. He was a very social, people-oriented person. It was just a natural fit for my father to be a public servant. It’s him giving back and helping the community.”
Mr. Johnson enjoyed campaigning and had a good sense of humor. Early in his political career, he was running for a state House seat when his political signs kept disappearing. An article in the Philadelphia Bulletin at the time reported the thefts were believed to be the work of girls and young women who fancied the handsome office seeker.
One smitten teenager told the Bulletin, “He’s better-looking than Pat Boone.”
Mr. Johnson was born in Philadelphia, the fourth of five children of William Barton Johnson, chief paymaster for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Ethel Ricarda Johnson. He graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1945 and enlisted in the Navy once he turned 18.
In the service Mr. Johnson met his best friend, the Rev. Robert Burke, a Catholic priest.
“Dad used to say they had the same job,” his daughter said, in that they both could perform weddings and heard confessions.
They remained fast friends until Father Burke’s death in 2018.
After the Navy, Mr. Johnson attended St. Joseph’s University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in1954. Education became a lifelong passion, and he took classes at Penn State, Temple University, the University of Virginia Law School, and the University of Alabama Law School to keep current and become a better judge. He served on many civic organizations throughout his life.
Mr. Burke found time for fun, too.
“He loved flying,” Kathleen said. “He had a motorcycle. He had a boat. He just loved life.”
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Johnson is survived by son Robert; former wife Marilyn Holley; two grandchildren; and numerous other family and friends.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 30, at St. Matthias and Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Williams may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1818 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, or online at www.cancer.org, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.