Robert Wayne Johnson
Robert Wayne Johnson , Age 82
Robert Wayne Johnson, age 82, of Baraboo passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ida Johnson of Baraboo. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy (Green); brothers, Jerry (Carol) Johnson of Eagle River and David (Zonda) Johnson of Zionsville, IN; one sister, Lynda (Steve) Stegmeier of Longmont, CO; one son, Andrew (Lisa) Johnson of Baraboo; granddaughters, Lindsay (Ryan) Gehin of Marshfield and Alexis (Logan) Hurda of Milwaukee, along with one great-granddaughter, Evelyn and additional extended family.
He grew up with interests in reading, sports, traveling across the country, playing recorder and politics. He was a graduate of Baraboo High School, in 1961. Then he attended the University of WI-Madison, where he achieved his master’s degrees in Sociology and Criminology. He taught at several colleges across the Midwest before settling down in his hometown where he spent his summers enjoying the beauty of Devil’s Lake State Park and winters in the library or local bookstore.
A Celebration of Life is being planned amongst close friends and family as per his previously expressed wishes.
Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Condolences
Tina and Mike Denker October 27, 2025
Neighbors Baraboo , Wisconsin
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He will be missed by our family. The grandkids always enjoyed visiting and when he was walking, they loved to roll the windows in the car and yell "Hi Bob!". He loved conversation with anyone that was willing to participate and loved playing his recorder. May he rest in peace
Bill and Phyllis Schwartz October 27, 2025
Friends Reedsburg , Wisconsin
Nancy and family. You have our deepest sympathy. May God be with you during this difficult time. Bill and Phyllis
David VonBehren October 27, 2025
Friend DeForest , Wisconsin
My condolences on the loss of your dad. I had bob as my crime and criminology professor and I enjoyed every day of class.
KEITH HAUGEN October 27, 2025
Friend of the family Schaumburg , Illinois
Condolences to the family. I have been good friends with A.J. for decades and the stories he told about his dad indicates the kind of man he was and how much he was loved.
Dennis Schulte October 27, 2025
Friend Reedsburg , Wisconsin
Nancy, Andy and family of Robert, I pray you find strength as you face the loss. of your husband, father and Grand father. .
Sharon Madland October 28, 2025
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Nancy, Andy, Lisa and the whole family, I'm so sad to to see Bob passed away, my sympathy is with you all.
Keri Olson & Larry McCoy October 28, 2025
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Dear Nancy, Andy, Lisa, Lynda and Family, We are so very sorry for your loss. Bob was such a fascinating man, an interesting conversationalist and an amazing, well-read intellect. We will miss our times with him. We hold you in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Wishing you peace.
Shelly, & Jarod Schyvinch October 28, 2025
Friends Reedsburg , Wisconsin
Nancy & family, we will stand in prayer with you for comfort & peace as the days go by. There are no words to express our sympathy.
Ann Effinger October 28, 2025
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
My deepest sympathies to you, Nancy, and your family.
Karen Ailsworth and David Kinzer October 28, 2025
Fortnightly friends Baraboo , Wisconsin
We enjoyed Bob's kindness, curiosity, and intelligence. He's one of a kind, and I'm so glad I got to spend time learning from him. He's what I imagined adult friends would be like when I was a kid- wise and constantly questioning. Now I see how rare that really is! Our condolences to Nancy and his family.
Michael Diana Biesek October 28, 2025
None HILLSBORO , Wisconsin
Pastor Andy and family, May God give you strength and comfort at this time of the loss of your father. God Bless.
Emily Reno October 28, 2025
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Bob was one of my regulars at the library. We shared conversations often about literature and the world around us. I appreciated his perspective and he taught me a lot. We had shared interests in literature and music. My heart goes out to Nancy and his family.
Paul Roth October 28, 2025
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
I met Bob through the Fortnightly Literary Club which meets every other Tuesday at the Baraboo Library. We also crossed paths at the Baraboo Library on a number of occasions over the past couple of years. I appreciated and enjoyed listening to Bob's insight on social issues and his experiences from his childhood on up. He was an avid reader and would often relate to us the wealth of knowledge he obtained as a result of being a lifelong learner. He will be missed by me and all of us in the Fortnightly group.
Elsie and David Gilmore October 28, 2025
Friends Baraboo , Wisconsin
Just last week, Bob shared his wanderings and wonderings with us at Fortnightly, we were ready and looking forward to sharing again. Though Bob was a new friend for us, we looked forward to many more conversations. We are wishing comfort and the best possible for you, Nancy. - Elsie and David Gilmore
Bruce & Cheryl McIntosh October 28, 2025
Friend North Freedom , Wisconsin
Nancy and family: We’re very saddened to learn of your loss. May God bring you comfort and peace during this time of grieving. Our prayers will be with you. Bruce & Cheryl
Beth VanCurine October 28, 2025
Library Baraboo , Wisconsin
I'm writing as a representative of the library, but also as somebody who got to know Bob personally over the last few years. Bob joined Fortnightly in 2023, right as we moved the program to the library. He gave presentations on politics, religion, and philosophy, and our most recent presentation was Bob's—I know I'm so glad I got a chance to know him a bit better before he passed. Bob was a regular at library programs. I fondly remember Bob teaching my teenagers to play Dixit a few summers ago, and how he would sing his clues for them, which they loved. My teens still talk about that. Bob and I had many great conversations in the time that I've known him. I will miss his reliable "reasonably well" when asking how he's doing, or talking about books with him. He was a great addition to our scholarly community and I know his contribution, knowledge, and experience will be missed by all of us. All of the staff at the library were so sad to hear of Bob's passing. He was a great patron and made so many of us smile with his quick wit. We will miss having him in programs and in the reading room.
Nickeisha Bloss October 29, 2025
Friend Rock Springs , Wisconsin
My Condolences to The Johnson family during their time of bereavement.
Rom Moe November 01, 2025
Co pastor in Christ Edgerton , Wisconsin
All of us in Magnolia send our thoughts and prayers.