Aldie E. Johnson Jr., 87, of Bedford, died peacefully at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers with his family by his side on Sunday, September 23, 2012. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Wilma; three children - Aldie E. Johnson, III and his wife, Kathy off Pasadena, CA Jo Lynne J. Johnson and her husband, David Johnson of Stratham, NH and Merri Lee Johnson of Bedford; four grandchildren; one niece and one nephew.

Aldie grew up in Davenport Iowa, graduated from Davenport High, joined the Army in 1943, then returned to Iowa and attended Iowa State University in Ames. He met Wilma while at Iowa State and they were married in September of 1947. Aldie graduated in December 1947 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity.

Together they moved to Newport News, VA to begin work in the Structures Research Division of the precursor to NASA. In 1957, the family moved to Bedford, as he became the Head of the Structures Dept at Avco Rad in Wilmington. In 1968, Aldie moved his focus and work to Teledyne Materials Research (later Teledyne Engineering Services) in Waltham as Vice President of Operations. He was both Treasurer and President of Society of Experimental Stress Analysis (later SEM) during the time at Teledyne. He retired in 1985.


In 1977, Aldie bought a 1931 Model A Mail Truck, which he restored to authenticity and won many medals/awards at various local and National meets. While he was restoring his truck, he was elected Treasurer (1987) and President (1989) of the Model A Ford Club of America (which includes International clubs). While living in Bedford, he was involved in many community activities including: the Bedford Council on Aging Fix-it Shop, Bedford Santa Program, 4-H, as well as being an active Board member of the national Model A Ford Foundation, Minuteman Model A Ford Club, and The Charles River Museum of Industry. Aldie also researched and wrote "The Ford Model A Mail Truck" as well as his own family's genealogy book.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: MAFFI (for the Model A Gilmore Car Museum), PO Box 95151, Nonantum, MA 02495; MAFCA (for the Model A Gilmore Car Museum), 250 S. Cypress St., LaHabra, CA 90631-5515; The Charles River Museum of Industry, 154 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453; SEM, 7 School St, Bethel, CT 06801-1405.

A celebration of his Life will be held on January 12, 2013, at 2:00 P.M. at the First parish in Bedford, 75 The Great Rd.