Richard Robertson

He was born March 23, 1932 in Glasgow, Scotland to Thomas and Elizabeth Robertson and was the third of seven children. Due to the sudden passing of his father, his mother’s failing health and her desire to keep the children together, five of the children were placed in the care of the Quarrier’s Orphan Homes of Scotland. Dad was the oldest of that group and his mother charged him with “look after your brothers and sisters”, a charge he took very seriously his entire life!

Dick completed his education at the orphanage and, although given the opportunity to advance his education, declined, and joined the workforce, eventually becoming a steam and pipe fitter. In 1950, he enlisted in the British Army, serving two years active peacekeeping in Egypt and Cyprus as a cook, and three and a half years reserve.

Having served his time in the army, he emigrated to Canada in 1955 because he saw this as an opportunity to change his life for the better. While going to apply for a job in St. Catharines, ON, he met James Dean at the gate of the factory who said, “there were no jobs”, but ultimately led Richard to accept Christ as his Lord and Saviour. His life was changed, not only for the present but also for eternity. Not only was his life changed, so was the path he walked for the rest of his earthly time.

In 1956, he met his future wife, (Ida) Eleanor McLaren. They were married in Victoria, BC on May 23, 1958 and honeymooned across Canada while moving to Hamilton, ON to make their first home, where they were actively involved in Gospel work. With a desire to further the work of the gospel, in 1967 they moved west to Maidstone, SK, Eleanor’s birthplace, where they resided until they moved to Edmonton, AB in 2011. While in Edmonton, Dad took great pleasure in going to McDonald’s almost every day for a “senior’s coffee, 4 sugars” and a game of Sudoku. It did not matter the weather. Edmonton was home until his passing in 2020.

Richard and Eleanor were members of the local Gospel Hall where they resided. He worked full time to further the spread of the Gospel, often with good friend, Jim Webb, among others. He was particularly noted for his children’s work. Since the news of his passing has spread, many people have recalled his excellent children’s work particularly his ability to teach memory verses.

He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth, sister Etta (Ken) Patterson, brother William, brother Duncan (Christine), brother Tom (Martha), and sister Mary (Bill) Alexander.

Left to remember him are his wife of 62 years, Eleanor Robertson, children Don (Diane) Robertson of Portage la Prairie, MB, Andrea Robertson of Edmonton, AB, and Rebecca (Michael) Pratt of Edmonton, AB, his grandchildren Tyler (Christina) Robertson, Sean Robertson, Matthew Robertson, Elly Robertson, Janae Robertson, and Dalton Pratt, and great-grandchildren Jackson and Emily Robertson. He will be fondly remembered by his brother Charlie (Alison) Robertson of Edinburgh, Scotland. Visits to Scotland will be remembered by numerous nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

A funeral service is planned for Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Hainstock’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, 9810 34 Avenue, Edmonton, AB with interment to follow at Rosehill Cemetery. Due to Covid, service is by invite only, but will be livestreamed.

If you so choose, donations may be made in his memory to Gospel Trust Canada www.gospeltrust.ca or Alberta Cancer Foundation www.albertacancer.ca.