Robert W. “Bob” Johnson devoted his life to public service, rising from a Nevada farm boy to become Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation—a presidential appointment he held with distinction. Over a 34-year career, Bob earned national respect as a water leader of uncommon integrity. Known for his kind and gentle spirit, can-do attitude, and unwavering optimism, he left an indelible mark on the field of water resource management and on the many people he mentored along the way.
Born in Lovelock, Nevada, Bob grew up on a farm irrigated by a Reclamation project—foreshadowing his life’s path. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and resource economics from the University of Nevada, Reno, before beginning his career at the Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office in 1975. Over the decades, Bob served in increasingly impactful roles, including “Water Master” of the lower Colorado River, before he was appointed Commissioner in 2006.
To honor Bob’s legacy, a group of friends and colleagues has established the Robert W. (Bob) Johnson Memorial Scholarship, supporting students in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources at UNR. This scholarship will help develop the next generation of leaders in agriculture—students who, like Bob, are dedicated to serving the public good with integrity, excellence, and heart.