Robert Robertson

The Rev. Robert Wilson (Bob) Robertson, 83, of Little Rock, a United Methodist retired clergy elder, passed away on May 27, 2009. He was born May 28, 1926 in Colt, Arkansas, the sixth son and eighth child of Rev. Bailey E. and Minnie Robertson. His father was a Methodist minister in Arkansas for 40 years as was his uncle, Rev. Robert A. Robertson for whom he was named. Bob was associate pastor of St. Paul and senior pastor of Western Hills United Methodist Churches in Little Rock. He also served churches in Smackover, Batesville, Earle, Hughes and Salem/Viola, and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch, Texas.
Bob served in the Pacific Theater of Operations, 412 Troop Carrier Wing, 6th Carrier Squadron, Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a Crew Chief and Aerial Engineer on C46, C47 and C54 airplanes, and part of the occupational forces in Japan. He worked for Pillsbury Mills in Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Amarillo, Texas, and for McSwain Brokerage in Little Rock. He was president of R-R Sales, a food and specialty brokerage business in Fort Smith, which received a national award for top sales organization in 1966.
As a lay leader in the First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith, he was evangelism chairman, youth Sunday School teacher, Chancel Choir member and Boy Scout chairman. Bob was an original member and coach of the Fort Smith Church Little League Baseball program. He was the baccalaureate speaker at Little Rock's Parkview High School's first graduation ceremony.
He graduated from Hendrix College and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He served on the United Methodist Annual Conference Committee, Education, Church and Society, Mission and Cooperative Parish Committees and was a Board member of Wesley Foundation and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rev. Betty Ann Embrey Robertson; their son, Dr. Blake Robertson and his wife, Dr. Charlotte Robertson; their daughter, Diana Myklebust and her husband, Mark; his brother, Ed Robertson of Fort Smith; grandchildren, Matthew Robert Myklebust (Melanie), Mary Kay Steves (Tom, Jr.), Jonathan Robertson and Stephen Lane; great-grandchildren, Morgan and Mason Myklebust, Logan Robertson, Tori Steves, Ashtyn and Coltyn Lane; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a graveside service with Military Honors this morning, Friday, at 9:00 a.m. at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, conducted by Rev. Don Nolley. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, officiated by Rev. Fred Haustein and Rev. John Miles II. Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, Western Hills United Methodist Church or to one's favorite charity.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Bob's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.