Roger W. Johnston
Roger W. Johnston, 68, of Greencastle, has passed into eternity to be with his Lord. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family at home, April 13, 2021, following a four-year battle with ALS.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Ott Johnston; elder brother, Robert W. Johnston; and father-in-law, Frank Coffman.
He leaves his loving wife of 48 years, Chris Johnston; daughter, Chelsea; grandson, Cameron; granddaughter, Chloe, all of Greencastle; father, Robert H. Johnston (103 years of age); sister, Linda K. Hilderbrand; and nephew, David Hilderbrand of Canonsburg; niece, Hali K. Hilderbrand of Bridgeville; mother-in-law, Carole Carlson; and father-in-law, Norman Carlson of Burton, Mich., sister-in-law, Callie Coffman of Washington, D.C.; brother-in-law, Scott Coffman and his wife Mary of Davison, Mich., niece, Sarah and her husband Jim Hale and daughter Shannon; niece, Amy and her husband Curt Morgan and sons Carter and Evan of Davison Mich.; brother-in-law, Chad Coffman; and nephew, Chad Coffman II of Flint Mich.
Roger was born and grew up in Canonsburg; raised by his loving parents in a household where it was stressed that there is satisfaction in accomplishment.
After graduating from Canon-McMillan High School in 1970, his interest in cars and all things mechanical motivated him to seek a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Michigan, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. As a co-op student for the next five years while earning his degree, he worked for Chevrolet, Flint Assembly. For the first two and a half years, he worked as an assembler in the factory where he learned first-hand of the challenges and demands placed upon production workers. Roger regarded this line work experience as some of the most valuable of his career – having an understanding for what it meant to do the actual work.
Although his intentions were to work as an engineer and to do so in a location where he and Chris could stay and raise a family, job opportunities over his career resulted in the family relocating with each job change. Work locations were on two continents and eight U.S. locations; job responsibilities spanned the U.S., Mexico, Venezuela, Germany and Australia. He worked in the automotive industry for 21 years, first with General Motors, then Volkswagen of America and Valeo (a tier-one supplier to the automotive industry). The last 24 years of his career were spent in the heavy-duty truck industry, working for Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks. During this time, he served as Vice President and General Manager for Hagerstown Powertrain Operations, Vice President Quality and International Operations and Vice President and General Manager Lehigh Valley Operations.
Roger was kind, compassionate and generous but most importantly, humble. His love of family, including his grandchildren, and time spent with friends, gave him the greatest joy. Roger had the ability to find common ground and form friendships with ease. He was active in his community and proud to serve on the Greencastle Shade Tree Commission. He served as an elder at Greencastle Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed hunting, lifelong learning, riding his Harley with the boys, fast cars and was a skilled craftsman. He treasured the support and love of his friends at the ALS Association of DC/MD/VA. His daughter, Chelsea and grandson, Cameron, along with the care team of Becky, Amy and Amber, provided Roger with loving care and we are forever grateful.
Visitation hours are 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a memorial service, Saturday, April 17, in Greencastle Presbyterian Church, 57 W. Baltimore Street, Greencastle, PA 17225. Arrangements are entrusted to the Harold M. Zimmerman and Son Funeral Home, Inc., Greencastle. Condolences may be offered at www.zimmermanfh.com. If you are not able to attend, you may watch the service via livestream at www.visitgpc.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger’s memory to either: ALS Association of DC/MD/VA Chapter, 30 W. Gude Drive, Suite 150, Rockville, MD 20850 or Greencastle Presbyterian Church Pew Fund, 57 W. Baltimore Street, Greencastle, PA 17225.