Rob passed away peacefully on August 27, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his devoted family - wife Susan and daughters Rachel (Yang) and Devon. He will be missed by so many and remembered for his generous and open nature, his sharp and unique wit, his wisdom, his true friendship and his genuine goodness.
Rob was the only child of Earl and Wilma Robertson of Gananoque, Ontario. As a boy, he liked to play all sports and enjoyed summers at his grandparents' cottage on Charleston Lake. After graduating from McGill University and Western law school, he moved to Ottawa and worked for 31 years at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), principally as General Counsel.
Rob believed in service and tried to honour that belief. He served as the president of Amnesty International Canada, the chairman of the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada, and the chairman of the South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre. While attending St. Timothy's Presbyterian Church, he was an elder, the chairman of the Board of Managers, and the chairman of the Refugee Sponsorship Committee. At St. Andrew's Church, he was an elder, the administrative clerk of session, the chairman of the Mission and Outreach Committee and of the Communications Committee, and the congregation's liaison with the Centretown Emergency Food Centre. For four years, he was the national convenor of Presbyterian World Service & Development. He was made an honorary life member of the Marco Depestre Foundation (Ottawa). He was also the chairman of the IDRC Alumni Association.
Rob was very grateful for the love and attention of his church family, the doctors and nurses of the Ottawa General Hospital and the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital's palliative care unit, his many friends and, most of all, his family.
A funeral will be held at St. Andrew's Church, at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew's Church or the Marco Depestre Foundation (Ottawa).
Digital Guestbook
Maurizio Iellina
Dwan Billings
Dear Mrs. Robertson,
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Sending strength and prayers in this difficult time.
Dwan (PWS&D)
Karen Plater
I was honoured to work with Rob and see him in action through the committee that reviewed the Presbyterians Sharing formula and then during his service on Presbyterian World Service & Development. I was always impressed by his heart to make the world a better place, his sharp insights, his willingness to talk through issues - sometimes changing his mind and sometimes holding his point when he really believed it was right. He often helped people see points of views that they hadn't earlier considered. And he had a great sense of humour, and hearty laugh. Mostly though, his heart for service and love of God and neighbour (all around the world) shone through his actions. He will be sorely missed.
Sylvain Dufour
To the entire family, I offer my deepest sympathy for the loss of Rob that was very sudden for those of us unaware of his disease.
I had the pleasure of working on a few files with Rob over our approximately 20-years of overlap in our respective careers at IDRC. Always a gentleman, Rob could always be relied upon to grasp issues quickly. I always learned a lot in our interactions.
In recent years, Rob has been better known as president of the IDRC Alumni Association, where he will be very much missed.
Steve Song
I am heartbroken to hear of Rob's passing. Such a decent man and a pleasure to count as a colleague for 10 years at IDRC. A brilliant dry wit that was as at home in a board meeting as in the Mayfair pub across the road.
Lauchlan Munro
I was deeply saddened to hear of Rob's passing. He was a wonderful person to work with: fun, engaging, dedicated, caring and razor sharp. Sincere condolences to the family and to all who loved him.
David Nostbakken
His professionalism coupled with a sense caring were seamlessly always there in his common touch, where you trusted the confidence he gave, like your favourite uncle. Bob was very good to me in the various scrapes I got into at IDRC. Hard to believe he has left the fold.
Chantal Schryer
I am so sad to learn of the passing of Rob. I had the privilege of working with Rob at IDRC for many years. He was a stellar colleague, generous of his time, and always willing to share his knowledge and expertise.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Claude Paul Boivin
The very best human being you'd ever want to know. I will deeply miss my weekly walks with him during the pandemic.
Sachiko Okuda
Rob was a generous and genuinely kind human being, and a devastatingly funny performer at IDRC social events. I will always remember his "letter to Santa" skit at one of the Christmas parties. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
So sorry for your loss, Rob was a kind and hard working man. Deepest sympathies.