Jens Robert Johnsen

passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at The Messenger House on Bainbridge Island, Washington. He was 81 years of age and a longtime resident of Bainbridge. J. Robert Johnsen was born June 17, 1926 in Stone Lake Wisconsin to Jens O. Johnsen and Anne L. Ledsaak Johnsen.Bob graduated in 1944 from Spooner High School in Spooner, Wisconsin after suffering the deaths of both of his parents.Following graduation he joined the United States Army and served his country in the Asian Pacific in Japan and Korea as part of the 17th Infantry; he was honorably discharged in 1946.After returning to the States he attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. After moving to Washington Bob also received his Washington State Professional Engineering licenses in Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering.During his college years he met his brother-in-law's niece, Amy Johnson. Amy and Bob were married in November of 1950; they had celebrated 53 years of marriage when Amy was separated from him by death in 2004.Promptly following Bob's college graduation Amy and he packed up their car and headed west to Denver, Colorado and then on to Seattle and Bainbridge Island. Bob's High school yearbook related "With his head in the clouds, red-haired Bob looks to aviation for his vocation…building innumerable plane models, and avidly discussing flying with anyone who will lend an ear…" and this was truly a vocation - as he retired from Boeing Aerospace and while there worked on many projects, including the B-2 Stealth Aircraft.Bob and Amy both performed with the Bainbridge Light Opera, now BPA, and enjoyed their friends and experiences from that period. Bob was also a Scout Master of Troop #573 and spent many enjoyable vacations with the scouts as they backpacked and canoed; he always hoped that the scouts had had as good a time as he did.J. Robert Johnsen is survived by his children: Brian Johnsen, Claire Chavanu, and Sandra Johnsen-Sahleen (Roger). He also leaves behind his grandchildren; Andrew Chavanu, Kyle Chavanu, Cole Sahleen and Karsen Sahleen.A memorial service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 7968 Finch Road on Bainbridge Island (map) on Saturday, July 28 at 7:00 pm. Memorials may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America; https://secure.4agoodcause.com/afa/donate1.aspArrangements by Cook Family Funeral Home.