[uua_l@uua.org: [UUA-L] In Memoriam: Rev. Frank E. Robertson]
Wolfe Woodbury
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:34:43 -0400
Thread-Topic: In Memoriam: Rev. Frank E. Robertson
From: Unitarian Universalist Association <uu...@uua.org>
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Subject: [UUA-L] In Memoriam: Rev. Frank E. Robertson
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The Unitarian Universalist Association is sad to announce the death of
Rev. Frank E. Robertson, former member of the UUA Board of Trustees, on
February 6, 2008 at his home in Plymouth, MA. He was 71 years old.
Frank Robertson was born on September 15, 1936 and received a BS in
Chemical Engineering from the University of Lowell in 1959. He earned
his M. Div. from the Theological School of St. Lawrence University in
1962 where he was certified in Religious Education. At Columbia
University he studied World Religions, specializing in East Indian
studies. His interest in world religions persisted throughout Mr.
Robertson's life, leading him to participate in the creation of a World
Religions curriculum, published by the UUA in 1987.
After being ordained by the First Grace Universalist Church in Lowell,
MA, Rev. Robertson served congregations in Barneveld and Shelter Rock,
NY, and Paramus, NJ. He served as Minister of Religious Education in
Washington, DC, Santa Barbara, CA, and Evanston, IL. In 1998, after
serving in Evanston for 12 years, he was honored by the congregation as
Minister Emeritus upon his retirement.
Frank Robertson was a founding member of Interweave, an organization
affiliated with the UUA to address the concerns of Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) concerns. In doing so, he greatly
helped other GLBT persons to claim their identity. Through their
efforts, the General Assembly was lobbied to pass resolutions concerning
GLBT rights and the UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and
Transgender Concerns was established. In 2006, Robertson was awarded an
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological
School. In bestowing this degree he was celebrated "as an outstanding
Unitarian Universalist minister, as a faithful religious educator, as an
exceptional leader in many and sundry public institutions, and finally
as a courageous pioneer of human rights." He received the Angus H.
MacLean Award for excellence in religious education in 1998.
>From 1978 to 1980, Rev. Robertson was a member of the UUA Board of
Trustees where he was both soft spoken and effective in lobbying for
human rights causes. He also served on the board of the Liberal
Religious Educators Association (LREDA). He founded and chaired the
Unitarian Universalist Religious Education History Group and served on
the boards of the St. Lawrence Foundation and the US Chapter of the
International Association of Religious Freedom. He was an Elder of the
Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants.
His friend, Rev. Abhi Janamanchi said of him, "Frank was a mentor,
friend, cheer leader, and family member. We will miss his wonderful
sense of humor, bad puns, deep dedication to our faith, and universal
spirit that embraced all regardless of culture, race, gender, religion,
or sexual orientation."
Frank Robertson is survived by his partner of 36 years, Rick McDonald of
Plymouth, MA; his daughters, Lydia J. Robertson of Brooklyn, NY and
Denene Ray and her husband, Jeff, of Charlotte, NC; and grandchildren
Charlotte Juergens of Brooklyn, NY, and Emma, Jennifer, and Maddy Ray of
Charlotte, NC. A son, Joel, predeceased him in 1993.
A service in celebration of Frank Robertson's life will take place on
April 19 at 2:00 p.m. at First Parish Church in Plymouth, MA. Memorial
gifts may be made to the First Parish Church (memo: Frank Robertson
Memorial), 19 Town Square, Plymouth, MA 02360-3351 for the establishment
of a Celebration Garden in Rev. Robertson's name.
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