Calder "Cal" Louis Robertson Jr.

Calder Robertson, Jr., 78, of Arlington, Virginia, passed away on October 12, 2026, with his devoted family gathered around him. A man of tremendous strength and resilience, Calder fought bravely to live until the very end, surrounded in his final moments by the love of his children and family.

Born on March 15, 1948, in Manila, Philippines, Calder lived a life marked by intellectual rigor, dedicated public service, and a deep devotion to family. He completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin, where he accomplished the rare feat of triple-majoring in Mathematics, German, and Psychology. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law in 1973.

In 1973, he entered public service, beginning a distinguished 33-year career with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with the latter years of his career serving in the Office of Chief Counsel. During his tenure, Calder served as Senior Chief Counsel and later as Special Counsel for both the Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TEGE) division and Litigation.

As a cornerstone of the TEGE division, Calder helped build the foundational legal architecture that governs the modern American non-profit sector. His expertise guided complex tax-exempt structuring and compliance for charitable and governmental bodies. Later in his career, he focused on high-stakes litigation, developing defensive strategies and representing the Commissioner of the IRS in major cases before the U.S. Tax Court.

Those who knew Calder best will remember his uncanny sense of humor, generous spirit, and exceptionally kind heart. He leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories with family and friends across the globe.

He is survived by Kathryn; his children, Michaela, Raphaela, and Calder “Tre”; his grandchildren, Laureana, Cash, Ava, and Miles; his great-grandchildren, Siris and Serena; and his siblings, James, Harvey, Brenda, and Linda. He was preceded in death by his mother, Laureana Carmencita Sabugo and his father, Command Sergeant Major Calder Louis, Robertson.

A Celebration of Life memorial will be held in November in San Antonio. Calder’s ashes will be interred alongside his parents and scattered on the beaches of his ancestral home in the Philippines.