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
Rohinton Medhora
Paul Stinson
So very sorry to hear of Rob's passing ... taken from us far too early. (I had not heard of his illness.) I will always remember his thoughtful comments - whatever the topic - and the wit which he used so well.
Julia Francoise Depestre
I was shocked to hear the news of Mr Rob Robertson’s passing so quickly. My deepest condolences to his beloved wife and family. May I say, Rob, was a wonderful man of God, a loving man who liked to help the least fortunate. Through the Marco Depestre Foundation, he helped in so many projects. One of his last was “Cuisine & Patisserie” for Les Messagers de Laboule 12” a group of youngsters. Rob provided a beautiful oven, table and chairs which enabled them to start this project. He will be always remembered, and may his Soul Rest In Peace eternally!
Ramata Molo Thioune
J'ai eu l'immense honneur et le privilège de travailler étroitement avec Rob au CRDI. Au-delà de son professionnalisme, j'ai pu apprécier les qualités humaines de Rob. Son engagement pour le développement et les droits humains, en particulier ceux des femmes, était remarquable. Je présente mes condoléances les plus attristées à sa famille.
Andrew and Susan Raven
Words cannot convey the depth of our sorrow at the loss of our close friend Rob. Our friendship spanned almost 50 years and, in that time, we came to know well Rob's compassion, dedication to service, impeccable judgment and, always, sharp and timely wit; qualities noted by many who have written on this page.
Our hearts go out to Susan, Rachel, Yang and Devon, as well as all who had the very good fortune to know Rob and count him as a friend. He will be sorely missed.
Love Andy and Sue
Sydney + Tim McIntosh
Rob was a welcoming presence when we started attending St. Andrew's 3 years ago. We were blessed to know him during that time. He was dedicated to the growth of the church and did an amazing job running the Communications Committee. He will be dearly missed. Prayers and thoughts go out to his family. May God bless you and keep you. May He keep you safe and give you his peace.
Christel Binnie
Please accept my sincere condolences on Rob's passing. I had the privilege and pleasure of collaborating with him in his role as President of IDRC's Alumni Association. I got to know him as an intelligent, kind, generous and thoughtful person. In reading his obituary I learned that his impact was far wider than I had realized. He was clearly a special person who gave a lot to his community here and elsewhere. He has left memories and a legacy behind that will not be forgotten.
Ramesh and Pilar Bhatia
Rob’s passing is devastating news! Please accept our sincerest most heartfelt condolences.
It was truly a great pleasure to have gotten to know Rob over the last fifty years.
He will be sadly missed and well remembered for all his good deeds and support for others.
We’ve lost an amazing friend.
We share in your loss with love and friendship.
With loving memories,
Ramesh and Pilar Bhatia
Ramesh Bhatia
Rob’s passing is devastating news! Please accept our sincerest most heartfelt condolences.
It was truly a great pleasure to have gotten to know Rob over the last fifty years.
He will be sadly missed and well remembered for all his good deeds and support for others.
We’ve lost an amazing friend.
We share in your loss with love and friendship.
With loving memories,
Ramesh & Pilar Bhatia
(Formerly with IDRC)
Vivien Chiam
Maria Ng and I, former colleagues of Rob's in the IDRC Singapore Office, were greatly saddened to hear of Rob's passing. We remember him as a kind, wise and soft-spoken gentleman whom you could count on to help solve a work issue. On one of my earlier trips to Ottawa many years ago, I and my colleagues experienced the warm hospitality of Rob and his family when he invited us home. Just recently I did mention to Rob online that I loved reading the IDRC Alumni Newsletter but dreaded to read the Orbituary page. Rob, we shall always remember you with fondness. May God now comfort your wife Susan and loved ones with the thought that he is resting safely in the arms of Jesus.
I had the privilege of working with Rob at IDRC over twenty years and thereafter too. He embodied the ethos of public service, professionalism and intellectual rigour that many of us can only aspire to. We will miss him but he will always be with us. My condolences to his family and near ones.