Dr.
Dr. Robert E. Johns
Dr. Robert E. Johns, former Superintendent of Schools for the Coatesville Area School District, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Moravian Manor, in Lititz, PA., at the age of 99. He had been a resident there since 2012.
Dr. Johns was born in Lancaster, PA on January 19, 1916, the son of Minnie Landis Johns and Anson Shirk Johns and was preceded in death by his wife Ellen Allen Johns, who died in 1988, all of his brothers and sisters and his daughter, Barbara Ann Johns Butcher, wife of Dr. Richard Butcher of Sunbury, PA. He was also preceded in death by Jane Gray Smith, his close friend and traveling companion for over 23 years.
He graduated from the Lancaster Boys High School, Franklin and Marshall College, as a Phi Beta Kappa and received his Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Johns served in the United States Navy from 1944 – 1946 on the USS Jubilant and then was called back for the Korean War from 1951 – 1953 to serve as an Executive Officer on the USS Shelter and a Training Officer at the Fleet Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1953, he was promoted to Lieutenant with two full stripes.
Upon completion of his military service, he served as a Jr. High School Principal for the West Chester School District, an Assistant Superintendent for the Public Schools of Chester County and Supervising Principal of the Brandywine Area Schools. In 1964, Dr. Johns became the first Superintendent of the newly formed Coatesville Area School District, a consolidation of the Brandywine Area Schools and the Coatesville City Schools. In 1974, he retired, but still kept his hand in education for a few years, serving as an Assistant Director of School Study Councils and an Associate Professor at Ursinus College.
He enjoyed traveling, playing golf and bridge, following the Philadelphia Sports Teams, but most importantly following the lives of his four grandsons.
He is survived by his son, Robert E. Johns, Jr. and his wife, Holly of Lititz, PA. He is also survived by his grandsons, Robert A. Johns, and his wife Claire, who live in Apex, NC, James A. Butcher in Boulder, CO, and Garth P. and Derek R. Butcher, both of Salt Lake City, UT. In 2013, Dr. Johns was blessed with a Great Granddaughter, Addison Ann Johns, who was a source of great pride to him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service in Steinman Hall at Moravian Manor, 300 West Lemon Street, Lititz, PA 17543 on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 1:30pm. Friends may greet the family starting at 1:00pm. Interment will be private, prior to the Memorial Service at the Mellinger Cemetery in Lancaster, PA. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Dr. Johns’ passion for students and education, donations can made in his name for the support of scholarships to Lebanon Valley College, 101 North College Avenue, Annville, PA 17003.
Dr. Johns was born in Lancaster, PA on January 19, 1916, the son of Minnie Landis Johns and Anson Shirk Johns and was preceded in death by his wife Ellen Allen Johns, who died in 1988, all of his brothers and sisters and his daughter, Barbara Ann Johns Butcher, wife of Dr. Richard Butcher of Sunbury, PA. He was also preceded in death by Jane Gray Smith, his close friend and traveling companion for over 23 years.
He graduated from the Lancaster Boys High School, Franklin and Marshall College, as a Phi Beta Kappa and received his Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Johns served in the United States Navy from 1944 – 1946 on the USS Jubilant and then was called back for the Korean War from 1951 – 1953 to serve as an Executive Officer on the USS Shelter and a Training Officer at the Fleet Training Center in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1953, he was promoted to Lieutenant with two full stripes.
Upon completion of his military service, he served as a Jr. High School Principal for the West Chester School District, an Assistant Superintendent for the Public Schools of Chester County and Supervising Principal of the Brandywine Area Schools. In 1964, Dr. Johns became the first Superintendent of the newly formed Coatesville Area School District, a consolidation of the Brandywine Area Schools and the Coatesville City Schools. In 1974, he retired, but still kept his hand in education for a few years, serving as an Assistant Director of School Study Councils and an Associate Professor at Ursinus College.
He enjoyed traveling, playing golf and bridge, following the Philadelphia Sports Teams, but most importantly following the lives of his four grandsons.
He is survived by his son, Robert E. Johns, Jr. and his wife, Holly of Lititz, PA. He is also survived by his grandsons, Robert A. Johns, and his wife Claire, who live in Apex, NC, James A. Butcher in Boulder, CO, and Garth P. and Derek R. Butcher, both of Salt Lake City, UT. In 2013, Dr. Johns was blessed with a Great Granddaughter, Addison Ann Johns, who was a source of great pride to him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service in Steinman Hall at Moravian Manor, 300 West Lemon Street, Lititz, PA 17543 on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 1:30pm. Friends may greet the family starting at 1:00pm. Interment will be private, prior to the Memorial Service at the Mellinger Cemetery in Lancaster, PA. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Dr. Johns’ passion for students and education, donations can made in his name for the support of scholarships to Lebanon Valley College, 101 North College Avenue, Annville, PA 17003.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Robert E. Johns, please visit our flower store.
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