Judge Pat A. Robertson

Judge Pat A. Robertson died peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 19, 2015 in Dallas, Texas, after a short illness, surrounded by people who loved him. He was 78 years of age. “The Judge” was born raised, and lived in Highland Park all his life, graduating from Highland Park High School. He attended Texas A & M at the young age of 16 and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. When he graduated in 1958, he became a passionate Aggie and was an Aggie football season ticket holder since the 70’s. His pregame tailgates welcomed Aggies and opponents alike of all ages. The Aggie legacy that he started carried on with both of his children ('85 and '91), and two (soon to be three!) of his grandchildren ('13 and '14). Following graduation, he served in the Marine Corp. Later he attended law school at SMU, and was a brilliant criminal defense attorney for five decades. In 1970, he was appointed Judge of the Municipal Court of the Town of Highland Park, serving for 44 years, while continuing his law practice. Robertson was among the top five longest-serving municipal judges in Texas. Judge Robertson was respected for his sense of justice, fairness and admired for his humility and sense of humor. Pat had a passion for cooking and his famous handmade buns will be sorely missed. His defining characteristic was his unwavering kindness and respect to others. He refused to speak ill of anyone. It was not uncommon to hear persons who had been in his court thankful for his righteous and often times creative punishments. It was at the courthouse that he met his wife, Mary Robertson. It was love at first sight. They were married for over 25 years until she lost her battle to cancer. Together they founded the Trees for the Town, Inc., a non-profit created to replant thousands of native trees in the parkways of Park Cities after an ice storm in 1979. This program gained national recognition, even receiving the Joyce Kilmer Award from the Arbor Day Foundation in 1983. Due to its great success, it became a model for other communities. The family would like to receive friends at a visitation on Sunday, December 27 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p m. Judge Robertson’s service will take place on Monday, December 28, at 12 noon at the funeral home and all guests are invited to a reception immediately following. He will be laid to rest in his family’s plot in Wills Point, Texas at White Rose Cemetery. Judge Robertson is the son of Louise Robertson and the grandson of Ellen Teressa Peery Walters and Van Bufford Walters. He leaves behind his dedicated partner Joellen Goff, his sister Peggy Robertson, his daughter Robbin Robertson Polter and son Phillip Robertson, daughter-in-law, Karen Robertson; grandchildren Mariel Polter, Casey, Kelsey and Kyle Robertson. Judge Robertson was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee Robertson, son-in-law, David Polter and grandson, Ezra Van Polter. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets (corps.tamu.edu/support).