Roy Johansson 1951-2022

Published: 27/6, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing Roy Johansson, of one of the really great legends in the demolition industry in terms of work with, above all, demolition robots.

Born in 1951, Roy grew up in Västerlanda, Sweden. For the past 30 years, PDi and PDa magazines have spotlighted Roy’s work on several occasions. He possessed a unique knowledge of the demolition robot technology, and was one of the great Brokk operators of all time.

Roy worked for a number of years with demolition in Sweden but moved in 1984 to Port Chester, N.Y., outside New York City. For the next 36 years, he and colleague Mitch Schumer operated Robo Breaking, which helped introduce demolition robot technology to the U.S. market. Roy and his company were involved in working on projects such as the rehabilitation of the famed Lincon Tunnel beneath the Hudson River.

In 2021, at age 70, Roy decided to return to his old homeland and settled in Fjällbacka, Sweden. Last summer, PDa magazine had the privilege of meeting him on the boardwalk there and talking old memories. Roy was an amazing person with a big heart and always took time with his fellow human beings. We will remember Roy with great reverence and gratitude in the person he was and what he has done for both the Swedish and American demolition industries. It was a great privilege to get to know him, and those memories that will be cherished for years to come. Our thoughts are with Roy’s family, children and grandchildren, siblings, and everyone else whose life was made that much better by having known him. Rest in peace Roy.

--Jan Hermansson, Editor-in-Chief