Posted by XXXXXX on May 2, 2008:

Claron A. Robertson, Jr. ’48 No. 16504 30 Sep 1925 – 21 May 1994 Died in Charleston, SC Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA Claron Atherton “Robbie” Robertson, Jr., son of Inez and C.A. Robertson, was born in Dowell, IL. He was the first son, after two older sisters, and later he was joined by a brother. He grew up in Paducah, KY, and Carbondale, IL, with his summers spent on his grandparents farm in Flora, IL. He was always an interested student of music, nature, and sports. His love of nature took him, at age 16, on a camping trip west to visit the national parks. The journal he kept during this trip tells of his great appreciation of nature’s beauty and of his many experiences. In his senior year of high school, he was selected to be a contestant in the Westinghouse science talent search contest. It was on this trip to Washington, DC, that his senator promised him an appointment to USMA to enter in l944. He attended the University of Southern Illinois before starting at West Point. Robbie entered West Point as a member of the Class of ’47, but with the end of WWII, chose to stay for an extra year of education and graduated with the Class of ’48. He was an excellent student, a star-man. While a cadet, he sang in the Glee Club, played on the varsity basketball team, participated in all intramural sports, and was photography editor of the Howitzer. Robbie was enthusiastic about everything he did, and excelled in all of his endeavors. In his Second Class year, he met his future wife, Lynn Roberts, at a tea dance following the Penn–Army football game. They married in the Cadet Chapel on Graduation Day. After revisiting the national parks, this time with Lynn, he began his career at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Then it was onto the Basic Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir. His first son, Edward Carter, was born in 1949, in time to join him as he was assigned to the 54th Engineer Battalion in Boblinger, Germany. Many bridges were built, and much time was spent in the field. A second son, Claron Atherton III, was born in 1950. In 1952, the family moved to Urbana, IL, for Robbie to earn a master of science in civil engineering. The Chief of Engineers Office in Virginia and a one-year tour in St. Johns, Newfoundland, to build an airfield followed. Upon returning to the States, he was assigned to USMA to teach physics for four years. This was a great time, especially for the family. The Air Force Command and Staff School in Montgomery, AL, was next, and then it was back to Germany and the Seventh Army Headquarters in Vaihingen. In 1966, the family returned to Springfield, VA, and Robbie was assigned to Research Analysis Corporation (RAC) for training to be a military systems analyst. At this point, family considerations made early retirement a necessity. He retired from the Pentagon in 1968 and joined Planning Research Corporation. Later, he worked in the President’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and the Department of Commerce, retiring in 1985. Robbie’s Parkinson’s disease inexorably impaired his lifestyle, and this condition was exacerbated by a series of strokes, ultimately incapacitating him. Robbie faced his illness with the same courage, dignity, and optimism that were evident throughout his life. In 1989, Robbie, Lynn and Carter moved to Charleston, SC, to be near Rob and his family. The Charleston years were marked by Robbie’s declining health — about which he never complained — but provided a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to be close together and for Rob and Carter and the grandchildren to learn from Robbie’s quiet, manly acceptance of his burdens. Robbie never lost his keen sense of humor. Even in his last, darkest days, he was a tower of strength, courage, and wisdom. We thank God for every day Robbie was with us. He was a wonderful person, caring and compassionate always. He was my husband for a almost 46 years. We miss him every day. He was a loving husband and father and my best friend. Robbie was proud to be a graduate of USMA. He lived his life with the high standards he learned there and in his home. Robbie is survived by his wife, Lynn; his sons, Rob and Carter; and his three grandchildren, all of whom live in Charlston, SC. Lynn Robertson

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