Robert A. "Joe" Johnson
Robert A. "Joe" Johnson, 84, died peacefully at home on February 26, 2018. He is survived by the love of his life, Polly, to whom he was married to for 57 years, eight months, and two days. His family marvels about his unfailing ability to do that math in his head on the spot with perfect accuracy. He is also survived by his daughter, Mary Johnson, her husband Bruce Brown and their daughter Elizabeth Johnson Brown; his son, Hap Johnson, his wife Sherri and their children Hayden and Will; his son, Tim Johnson; and his daughter, Theo Johnson, her husband Jonathan Hagmaeir and their children Robbie and Jonah Hagmaeir. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School, he was the first bankruptcy judge appointed for the District of New Mexico after the enactment of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. He practiced law for 54 years and served on the board of trustees of Albuquerque Academy and High Desert Investment Corporation. He was a master chocolate chip cookie maker, first beginning this craft only during rare New Mexico snowstorms but gradually allowing him- self to be encouraged to nearly weekly exhibitions of his skill. He enjoyed making dinners for his family. He was revered for his humor and love of puns and would be the first to say any lawyer turned chef is a sue chef. He loved the Red Sox, and as a testament to the depth of his kindness and patience, he faithfully followed them for 84 years and only sometimes noted how much better off they’d be if only they’d listen to him. He coaxed beautiful roses and the occasional tomato from the harsh New Mexico climate. Dogs instinctively and immediately loved him, and he took great pleasure in sneaking them treats. He firmly believed libraries should be open on Sundays. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who leaves behind a beloved wife and world bettered by his countless good deeds, and four children and five grandchildren determined to do as much good in the world as he did. Seriously, the man was awesome.
P.S. The family strongly recommends shorting PepsiCo stock.