James Alexander Robertson

James (Jim) Alexander Robertson of Edmonton, AB passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025 at the Grey Nuns Hospital. He was in his 94th year.

Jim was born in Minnedosa MB on the 15th of April 1931 to Alex and Katie Robertson. He and his younger siblings, Keith and Kathy grew up on the family farm in Basswood, MB.

After attending Basswood School from Grades 1-11, he completed Grade 12 in Minnedosa MB.

Upon Graduation, Jim received numerous awards and Scholarships, choosing to continue his education at the University of Manitoba. Jim was influenced by his Mothers Naturalist tendencies, so on the suggestion of a local mentor, Jim chose to pursue his education in the field of agriculture studies. It was during this time, while earning his Masters of Science at the University of Manitoba, that Jim met his future wife and lifelong partner, Margaret Heeney. After completing his MSc in 1955, Jim moved to Edmonton for a teaching position at the University of Alberta, beginning a long and distinguished career.

Jim and Margaret married in 1957 and set up home in Edmonton. In 1960, after the birth of their son Brian, the family moved to Lafayette, Indiana where Jim completed his Doctorate (PhD) in Philosophy (Soil Science) at Purdue University.

Having a parent and two grandparents that were teachers, and possessing a strong motivation for lifelong learning, teaching at University of Alberta was the obvious next step. He was especially fond of teaching and mentoring undergraduate students.

In 1963, Jim accepted a faculty position with the Department of Soil Science at UofA, and the family returned to Edmonton. Later that year they welcomed their daughter Diane.

In addition to teaching, Jim's work focused on soil sustainability, continuing research at the Breton Plots, as well as outreach activities with rural/farm populations endeavouring to make theory practical. Jim received a number of awards and fellowships, and authored and co-authored a number of publications during his tenure at UofA.

Jim retired in 1996, but not one to rest for very long, he began his second career as Professor Emeritus for 29 years (1996- 2025). Lunch at the Faculty Club was an integral part of his retirement as he could continue to enjoy the company of his UofA colleagues and Faculty Club friends.

For 40 years Jim and Margaret made their home in Aspen Gardens. Naturally, this home had a very large garden plot which every winter Jim turned into a lighted and boarded hockey/skating rink for all of the neighbourhood kids to enjoy. Jim planted and maintained a significant vegetable garden, rotating crops and managing the soil health with compost and care. Of course, there was a corresponding cold vegetable storage room in the basement of their home and many neighbours benefited from vegetable surplus.

Over the 40 years that Jim and Margaret lived in that home, he spent countless hours in the garden and on the homemade tree swing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing, planting and learning. It was obvious that Jim’s true calling in life was being the world's greatest “Papa”.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret. Son Brian (Moria), Dayle, Nicole, Jessica, Alexandra. Daughter Diane McKen, Faye, Katie, Trever, 11 Great Grandchildren, Sister Kathy Maderios, sisters-in-law Esther Robertson and Betty Heeney and many loving family members near and far. Jim was predeceased by his brother Keith, and brothers-in-law Denis Heeney and Eldon Maderios.

A memorial celebrating Jim’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at 2:00 pm at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church (SSUC Spiritual Seekers United in Community)

10740 19 Ave NW, Edmonton.

You can join online - link to live stream <ssucedmonton.com/live>