Robert William Johnstone, 90, passed away peacefully at home on December 1, 2018 with his loving family around him. He was born in 1928 and raised in San Francisco. After graduating from Lincoln High School, he went to work for Shaw’s Candy in SF, and in 1950, he started his own candy business in San Anselmo, CA — Johnstone’s Ice Cream and Candy. He married the love of his life, Betty Stephens, in 1953 in San Francisco. Served during the Korean Conflict from 1953-1955 and returned to San Jose State University to complete his undergrad and master’s degrees in Industrial Arts. He began his teaching career at Lodi Union High School in 1959, teaching art, ceramics, wood shop, sculpture and adult night school. During the summers, he taught swimming and Red Cross Lifesaving classes, in addition to being a diving judge and time judge at local swim meets. He moved to newly-built Tokay High School in Lodi in 1974. He was department head at Tokay until his retirement in 1991. His commitment to the art field brought him to the Lodi Arts Center, leading him to become its’ President in 1961. Under his leadership, the Lodi Art Show was established and was held for many years at the Barrango Winery in Acampo, CA. He and his wife traveled extensively with a fine wine and culture group and Robert enjoyed gardening, opera and cooking.
Robert leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Betty; children Catherine Ann (Robert Schaub), Janet Claire (Richard Mazzuto), Jean Elizabeth Johnstone and Bruce Herbert Johnstone; grandchildren Nicole Schaub, Ryan Schaub.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Rosary on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 6:00pm at Donahue Funeral Home, 123 N School Street, Lodi, CA; Funeral Mass at 1:00pm on Monday, December 10, 2018 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 215 W Walnut Street, Lodi, CA; a private internment will be held at a later date, with Military Honors, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, CA.