Robert F. Johnson, 60, Nappanee, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, due to complications from metastatic cancer at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart, surrounded by his family.

He was known to family and friends as Bobby, Bob, B.J., and Rob. He was born on Dec. 10, 1958, in Elkhart, to Robert G. “Jerry” and Donna (Cobb) Johnson. He was raised in Syracuse and graduated in 1977 from Wawasee High School where he gained a love of music, playing trumpet in the orchestra and marching band. He became an accomplished musician, majoring in music at Indiana State University and touring Europe with the Wind Bands of America.

He played in several bands throughout his life, including The Brass Menagerie, Whistle Pigs, Short Term Memory and Big Daddy Dupree’s Broke & Hungry Blues Band. He instilled his love of music in both of his children, with Brett playing lead trumpet in the Purdue Jazz Band and Taryn playing trumpet in the marching band at NorthWood High School.

He also had a lifelong love of golf, leading the Wawasee Golf Team to the Northern Lakes Regional Championship as a senior, winning the Nappanee City Championship, and enjoying many tournaments at Maxwelton Golf Club. He had an adventurous spirit and delighted in skydiving, skiing, and boating on Lake Syracuse. He had rescued two cats, which he appropriately named Kitty and Kat, and kept his sense of humor to the end.

He is survived by his loving children, Brett (Ashley) Johnson of Noblesville; and Taryn (Jake Pulver) Johnson of Grabill; two brothers, David (Lori) Johnson of Sarasota, Fla.; and Scott Johnson of Syracuse; and his mother, Donna Johnson of Syracuse. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Johnson.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6:-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St, Syracuse.

Memorial donations may be made to the New Hope Pet Rescue, 72555 County Rd 29, Syracuse, IN 46567, or Center for Hospice Care, 22579 Old US 20 East, Elkhart, IN 46516. To send condolences to the family in memory of Robert Johnson, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com