WATERLOO - A family pastime of participating in car shows may have perished with Robert Johnson when he fell from a 6-foot ladder in his garage in Fairbank May 9.

Johnson, 73, was a car connoisseur and a participant in many car shows, including the annual Fourth Street Cruise in downtown Waterloo.

"The eerie part is that he wasn't even planning on driving in the cruise this year," said Lois Johnson regarding her husband's death. "None of us (family) will be riding this year out of respect for Bob, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to continue to go to shows without him."

But his presence will nonetheless be felt at this year's cruise, scheduled for Saturday. It's the 25th anniversary of the classic car ride around downtown.

"He was a member (of the cruise) for years," said Jim Koch, co-chairman of Fourth Street Cruise. "His passion for cars was remarkable."

Johnson's garage in Fairbank - built specifically for housing all Johnson's projects - is testimony to his affection for the masses of metal.

"There were times he would be restoring four to five cars at once," Lois Johnson said. "He would go to swap meets almost every weekend for more parts and would exchange tips with other car gurus."

Johnson's finished masterpieces include a 1940 Oldsmobile, 1940 Ford Coup, 1947 Mercury convertible, 1955 Chevrolet and 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible.

"He had his favorites," she said of Robert's cars, "but the Chevrolet was a gift for my birthday. He completely restored it and repainted the body a light blue. He put so much work and love into it."

While the '55 Chevrolet holds a special place in Lois' heart, Johnson's baby was the 1947 flame red Mercury convertible.

"The Mercury always led the cruise from the east with a passenger chosen by the cruise committee," said Cliff Leyen, Johnson's son-in-law.

Driving his car down Fourth Street since 1998 made Johnson a fixture in the minds of many cruise members. Grieving friends and family will take time to remember the craftsman in their own special way at this year's cruise.

Keeping with tradition, the cruise will begin around noon with cars traveling from the east and from the west to meet at the east end of the Fourth Street Bridge. Once there drivers and spectators will observe a moment of silence in front of the '47 Mercury in Johnson's honor.

"People use the saying 'A horse with no rider'," said Leyen. "Now, we have a car with no driver."

Contact Lindsey Ory at (319) 291-1482 or at lindsey.ory@wcfcourier.com