David Campbell ROBERTSON

The Rev. David Campbell Robertson, retired minister of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, passed away peacefully at his home in Nanaimo, BC, on Tuesday afternoon, February 24, 2015. He was surrounded by family, and passed into Jesus’ presence while the beloved hymn, “Softly and tenderly” played in the background.

David Robertson was born in Carman, Manitoba on August 14, 1928, to William (Bill) Ewing Robertson and Jessie Annie Campbell. Prior to sensing a call to the ministry, he had a business career as a manufacturer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In 1964, he went back to school at the University of Winnipeg, and then on to Presbyterian College at McGill University in Montreal.  He was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacraments in 1970. During his student years, he served the congregation of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg and then at Knox Presbyterian Church in Moose Creek, Ontario. Upon ordination, he served the congregations of First Presbyterian Church, Kenora, Ontario and St. John’s Presbyterian Church in White Rock, BC. After taking early retirement in 1987, he continued to serve as an interim minister at Parksville, Nanaimo and Port Alberni, as well as being a much sought after guest preacher with several congregations on Vancouver Island. An excellent preacher, he was especially appreciated for his children’s stories.

David married the love of his life, Joyce Vankoughnet of Carman, Manitoba in 1951, and together they shared the joys and adventures of family and ministry. David passed just one month shy of their 64th wedding anniversary.

David is survived by his wife Joyce; children Janet (Kerry) McIntyre, Carol Shantry (Glen Edwards), Mary Ellen (Paul) Desmarais, and Bill (Laura) Robertson, ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren; one sister, Anne (Gordon) Manson of Brandon, Manitoba, brother-in-law Fred (Joyce) Vankoughnet of Carman, Manitoba, plus numerous relatives, extended family and friends.

David will be remembered as a man of extreme integrity, absolute faith, devotion to his wife and family, and love for God. He was a role model, a teller of stories, a sharer of jokes and a big softie when it came to his “grand-brats.” He had a gift of meeting people where they were at and disarming them with his friendliness and wit.  He taught his children to follow a life of compassion and caring, and together with Joyce, exemplified the gift of laughter, hospitality and encouragement.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2015  at St. Columba Presbyterian Church, 921 Wembley Road, Parksville, BC.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.