Frank Edson Robertson (1936 - 2008)

Born 15 Sep 1936 in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Valerie Joan Hanna — married Dec 1963 (to about 1972) in Barneveld, NY

Descendants

Died 5 Feb 2008 at age 71 in Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay

Biography

Reverend Frank E. Robertson passed away peacefully at his home in Plymouth on February 5th at the age of 71. Born on September 15, 1936 to John and Mildred Robertson in Greenfield, MA. He received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lowell in 1959 and a Masters in Divinity from The Theological School of St. Lawrence University in 1962 where he was certified in Religious Education. Frank studied World Religions at Columbia University, specializing in East Indian studies. His interest in world religions persisted throughout Mr. Robertson's life, leading him to participate in the creation of a World Religions curriculum, published in 1987. In 1979 he studied and traveled to India. He participated in a study tour of Japan and in The International Association of Religious Freedom Congress in Tokyo in 1984. After being ordained by the First Grace Universalist Church in Lowell, Mr. Robertson served congregations in Barneveld and Shelter Rock, NY and Paramus, NJ. He served as Minister of Religious Education in Washington, DC, Santa Barbara, CA and Evanston, IL. In 1998, after serving in Evanston for 12 years, he was honored by the congregation as Minister Emeritus upon his retirement. In 2006, Mr. Robertson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Devinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School. In bestowing this degree, he was honored "as an outstanding Unitarian Universalist minister, as a faithful religious educator, as an exceptional leader in many and sundry public institutions, and finally, as a courageous pioneer of human rights." The Angus H. MacLean Award for excellence in religious education was bestowed on Mr. Robertson in 1998. Mr. Robertson's other contributions were many. He served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA). He founded and chaired the Unitarian Universalist Religious Education History Group. He served on the boards of the St. Lawrence Foundation and the US Chapter of the International Association of Religious Freedom. He also was an Elder of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants. Reverend Robertson is survived by his partner of 36 years, Rick McDonald of Plymouth, his loving daughters Lydia J. Robertson of Brooklyn, NY and Denene Robertson Ray and her husband Jeff of Charlotte, NC. He also leaves his sister Hazel Robertson of Lowell and his grandchildren Charlotte Juergens of Brooklyn, NY and Emma, Jennifer, and Maddy Ray of Charlotte, NC. Father of the late Joel Robertson. His friend, the Reverend Abhi Janamanchi said of him the "Frank was a mentor, friend, cheer leader, and family member. We will miss his wonderful sense of humor, bad puns, deep dedication to our faith, and universal spirit that embraced all, regardless of culture, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

Sources

• He is my father