ARLINGTON, Va. Robert George Johnson (RJ), of Arlington, Va., passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2004 at the home of his parents, William and Karen Johnson after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease.) He was born on October 3, 1961 in Rome, N.Y. and moved with his family to Niskayuna in 1969. Graduating from Niskayuna High School in 1980, he was listed in the 1980-81 edition of America's Outstanding Names & Faces. RJ graduated from Newhouse School of Communications of Syracuse University with a bachelor of science in communication. During his time at SU, RJ was president of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. At the time of his death, he was employed by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. During his career, he traveled extensively to Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East in connection with our overseas embassies. At various times during his career, he served as a project director and systems engineer for ALCOSYS, Inc., Houston Associates and Stanley Associates. In addition, RJ had extensive experience as a trade relations specialist for Dole Corporation in Boca Raton, Fla. with responsibilities in Central and South America. Before moving to Washington, D.C., RJ returned to the Capital District for a short time to attend classes at SUNY Albany and establish his company, RJ Fantastic Fruit Baskets. Survivors include his parents, William and Karen Johnson of Niskayuna; his sister, Renee Johnson and husband, David Eisner, of Denver, Colo.; his brothers, William Johnson and wife Colleen of Naples, Fla. and Daniel Johnson of Schenectady, N.Y.; nieces, Sarah Eisner, Isabelle, Madeleine and Elliot Johnson; and a nephew, Max Eisner. He was predeceased by grandparents, Ruth Brand of Rome, N.Y. and Marion and George O'Connell of Utica, N.Y. Services will be held on Tuesday morning at 8:00 from the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street, Schenectady and then to Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rosa Road, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Jones Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5:00 to 8:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308 or to the ALS Center of St. Peter's Hospital, 315 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.