Bert Raymond Robertson

(Lynn) I guess I never thought this day would come because up until the very end, my dad was a vibrant, funny, intelligent, sarcastic guy who loved to dance and sing and entertain. He was a charmer and everyone loved him. I remember that every time I was with my mom and dad, it was like being with “rock stars”. People from all walks of life would come up and hug them and just want to be around them. I felt privileged to be a part of the scene. Even in the hospital, the respiratory therapists and phlebotomists would choose to come work with my dad because they had fallen in love with him like we had. One lady said, every time I see his name on the wall, I grab the opportunity to work with him because this room is non-stop entertainment. When my dad’s lungs were dry in the hospital, he would belt out a song. At one point, one night he sang the Ave Maria to us. My dad was the consummate person. He was giving and loving and critical. He was a ham. He loved to be in pictures. He starred in many videos for us over the years. One time he was a stand in for Justin Wilson’s hands…He and my mother were together for 55 years. When I asked my dad what kept them together, he said PASSION! It was sheer bliss. I have never had a boring moment with your mother. She is everything to me….They loved to dance. People described their dancing as floating over the floor. And so it goes…I was my dad’s best friend and he was mine. We liked the same things. He made me laugh with his great sense of humor. He was most proud of providing his children with the education he never had. If he had to go without, he would in order to pay tuition bills. He taught us to critically think and we disagreed on many topics but we could always pose good arguments for either side of a tough topic. He always said it takes intelligence to ask a question and I believe out of all the kids, I ask the most…And he was proud of my mom and all that she accomplished for the two of them and the family.

(Kathy) I am the caboose as my dad called me. I inherited his good lab work and more so , hopefully his tenacity. I am sure that he was proudest of me for continuing to blow drinking straw papers at him in restaurants, and pulling individual hairs on his head to simulate a bug crawling as we drove around town in my sister's van over the last few years. This was my way of connecting with him and to let him know that he was a part of my everyday life!!!!!!!!!!! My dad graduated life with honor, respect and without regret. May we all live long and with the integrity of my dad Mr. Bert Raymond Robertson.

FUNERAL HOMILY FOR BERT ROBERTSON by Fr. Greg Schmitt:

Some years ago a reporter was interviewing a famous athlete about his long and successful career in baseball. Toward the end of the interview, the reporter asked, "What was the biggest thrill of your career?" The athlete surprised his questioner by answering, "Every time I put on my uniform."

It was a great answer. It suggests that people aren't sustained so much by single moments as they are by the steadying fact of BELONGING. The moments of glory may be exciting, but deeper personal satisfaction comes from being part of something lasting and whole.

Bert proudly wore the uniform of husband ( 55 years with his wife Angie) the uniform of father (5 children) and the uniform of a knowledgeable, steady, faithful worker. He didn't put that uniform aside until he was 82. At times he worked two jobs - to accomplish something that was dear to him - providing a good education for his kids. This gave Bert great satisfaction.

The scripture readings chosen by Lynn and Kathy are reflective of a God who is very steady and faithful - like Bert - and Who inspires great confidence in those who believe in Him.

Job, who finds himself in great distress, nevertheless speaks these words: AS FOR ME, I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, AND THAT HE WILL AT LAST STAND FORTH UPON THE DUST; WHOM I MYSELF SHALL SEE; MY OWN EYES, NOT ANOTHER'S SHALL BEHOLD HIM, AND FROM MY FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD.

In the second reading from the first letter of John we hear these words of confidence: BELOVED, WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN NOW; WHAT WE SHALL BE HAS NOT YET BEEN REVEALED. WE DO KNOW THAT WHEN IT IS REVEALED WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.

Finally in the reading from John's Gospel, we hear Jesus speak words of great assurance: THIS IS THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO SENT ME, THAT I SHOULD NOT LOSE ANYTHING OF WHAT HE GAVE ME, BUT THAT I SHOULD RAISE IT ON THE LAST DAY. FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF MY FATHER, THAT EVERYONE WHO SEES THE SON AND BELIEVES IN HIM MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND I SHALL RAISE HIM ON THE LAST DAY.

These are not flashy words, but words of quiet confidence - words appreciated by someone who put on his uniform every day, and lived with a sense of faith. This faith gave Bert the awareness that material things were not the goal of his life. Instead he chose to be generous with what he had - sharing his skills and time and resources with others. He earned great respect from those who knew him. His pleasures were simple: dancing with Angie, enjoying a meal at some ordinary restaurant, and reading a good book.

Today, Bert wears a uniform that he put on many years ago and that we put on him once again today: the white baptismal garment - the uniform of eternal life. It is the everyday uniform of a Christian that signals we belong to Christ.

AND FROM MY FLESH I SHALL SEE GOD; MY INMOST BEING IS CONSUMED WITH LONGING. (Job)

ROBERTSON

Bert Raymond Robertson passed away on Monday, November 15, 2010 at the age of 89. A native New Orleanian and U. S. Army World War II Honorably Discharged Veteran who retired at age 82 from Nu-Lite Electrical Wholesalers, and was a pioneer of New Orleans Electrical Association. Bert is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Angelina Manfre Robertson, five children, Charles Major (Debra), Michael Robertson (Beth), Lynn Robertson, Maria R. Campbell (Steve), and Kathleen Robertson (Christopher Hays), two grandchildren, Jonathan Robertson and Jennifer Campbell, sister-in-law, Nadine Robertson, also survived nephews, Lloyd Robertson, Jerry Robertson, Donald Robertson and a niece, Pamela Heidinger. Bert is preceded in death by his parents, Hilda Rodeillat Robertson and Lynn V. Robertson, and two brothers, Lynn Vincent Robertson and Vernon Robertson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, November 19, 2010 at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 between the hours of 9:30 A.M. and 12:00 Noon followed by the Funeral Mass at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1025 Napoleon Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115 at 12:30 P.M. Interment will follow in St. Patrick #1 Cemetery. Guest book may be signed on line at www.schoencanalstreet.com.