Richard Bentley Robertson

Richard Bentley “Dick” Robertson, Age 98, died on June 27th, 2018 in Gonzales, LA. He was born May 8, 1920 in Prairieton, Indiana. He lived a long and full life. Dick was meticulous and detail-oriented with a keen mind and quick wit. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, reading, playing bridge and the theater. He had a great love of airplanes. With the help of his wife, Verna, he wrote a book about his family history with great stories and genealogy information. Dick came from a family of golfers and played on the Purdue golf team. He enjoyed watching the Astros and college sports, especially Purdue, Texas A&M and LSU. He loved the great outdoors and visited many national parks all over the U.S. He was a graduate of Purdue University in 1942 with a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. During WWII he served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and later as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery with the 77th Division and 11th Airborne Division in the Philippines and Japan. He was employed with Curtis-Wright, an aircraft company in Columbus, OH, designing airplanes and for United Air Lines in various locations. He spent 37 years of his professional life with Bovay Engineers of Houston, TX as Executive Vice President and Director managing the design and construction of electric power generating plants. Dick was a registered Professional Engineer in five states, a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Institute of Consulting Engineers, Distinguished Engineering Alumnus and Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Graduate of Purdue University, Past National President and Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Past President of the Houston Engineering and Scientific Society, Member of Acacia fraternity at Purdue, Honorary Member of Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi of Texas A&M University, and director of seven corporations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Agnes Bentley Robertson and Augustus Lane Robertson; his sister, Dr. Lois Eileen Robertson Champ Wuycheck; his brother, Julian Augustus Robertson; and his grandson, Brent Richard Robertson. He is survived by his wife, Verna Jean Bonaventure Robertson; children by previous marriages, Patricia Ann Robertson Spencer (Webb), Linda Marie Robertson Wyble Brownlee (Mike), Kathryn Jean Robertson Gossett (Gary), Sheila Renee Robertson Shoff (Brad), Richard Bentley Robertson, Jr. (Karen); grandchildren, Allison Victoria Spencer Benoit (Bryan), April Ann Robertson, Webster Weiss Spencer III (Stefanie) Brandon Joseph Wyble, Matthew Chase Wyble (Suzanne); and his great-grandchildren, Charlotte Spencer Benoit, Walker Weiss Benoit and Webster Weiss Spencer IV.Private graveside services will take place at a later date. Ourso Funeral Home of Gonzales (www.oursofh.com) is in charge of arrangements.