Gary Robertson
Gary Edward Robertson passed away peacefully on Friday February 12, 2010. He was surrounded by his loving family. Gary had been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in January of 2009 and fought a heroic battle against the disease. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jeanie, his children, Jennifer Spiller and Sean Robertson, his son-in-law Christopher Spiller, his sister Kay Schooley, and his Grandchildren, Lily and Zachary Spiller, as well as a large extended family. Gary was preceded in death by his parents George Edward Robertson and Clara Hertzing Robertson, and his older brother, Steve Robertson. Gary was 62 years old.
Gary graduated from Fairview High School in Jennings , MO in 1965. He was an athlete, lettering in basketball, baseball, tennis and track. With his glorious voice, he sang in the chorus and performed in concerts and musical theatre. He later earned a B.A in English and Theatre from South East Missouri State in 1969 and was awarded the highest honor at the university for male students, the Cardinal Key. He earned an MFA in Theatre Directing from Ohio University in 1971.
Gary and Jeanie were married in 1968 after dating throughout high school and college. Following graduate school they embarked on the many adventures of their lives. They moved to NYC where Gary began a rewarding career as a stage director, actor coach, playwright, and writer. He directed in NY, London , and regional theatre. As an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Alabama/Birmingham, and the Artistic Director of the Town and Gown theatre he was able to direct some of his most beloved shows. He was a sensitive husband, a loving father and a caring friend. He had a lifelong love affair with the collie dog, owning 4 throughout his adult life. His last collie, Magus, misses him sorely.
Gary loved people and always enjoyed an interesting conversation on any and all topics. And though he loved to talk, he was a superb listener, willing to stay up late into the night to counsel a friend in need. He loved attending movies, theatre, concerts, and opera. He was a self-educated admirer of poetry, literature, comparative religion, mythology, and history. His film music collection is an immense monument to the history of film.
In his work, the inspiration provided by associating with gifted artists helped him fashion his own vision and poetry for the stage. In life, Gary ’s road was richly peopled with a great cast of characters. He was always grateful for all those who loved him, for his many interesting friends, and for the great pleasure of their conversation and the honor of their confidences.
Gary was an active member of the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis where he sang in the choir, was on many committees and served as a Board Member.
The family would like to thank the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis Cares and Concerns Committee, BJC Hospice Care, the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Missouri Baptist Hospital Cancer Centers and all the many friends who have prayed, sent healing energy and continually helped out.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 at the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman Blvd at Kingshighway. In lieu of flowers, please as you are able, give platelets at the Siteman Cancer Center in his honor or donations to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. www.multiplemyeloma.org
Gary will be sorely missed. His intellect, keen involvement with others, energy and talents made our community so much richer. Our condolences to Jeannie and family.
The Lawton family
I’ll always remember Gary for his wit and exhuberence with everything he did. I know he’ll be missed here on earth and welcomed in heaven.
We are sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. He lived life to the fullest. Our sincere sympathy to Jeanie and family.
Gary was such a good loyal friend. He’ll be missed by all of the Madonia Family, We loved him Dearly. Love Jere
Gary had a way with a song – he pulled you into it and held you there.
Gary was such an empathetic friend. I always enjoyed his friendly and accepting manner when with you. I appreciated his participation in the choir singing at my wife, Pat Smith’s recent memorial given all that he was struggling with. Gary was a good friend.
We admired Gary’s keen interest in others and his expressiveness. Our deepest sympathy to Jeanie and all in his family. Love, Jeanne M. and Bob Franklin
Gary was truly a larger than life kind of guy — when he entered a room you were aware, of his presence, his big smile and his beautiful voice. He radiated warmth and friendliness. He loved life, Jeanie, his family and his dog. I will miss him.
Marilyn Carpenter
Gary was an extraordinary individual who will be greatly missed. Our condolences to Jeanie and his family.
Gary will be missed by all who knew and loved him. My condolences to Jeanie and all the family. And to Magus his collie that he loved so much.
Gary generously shared his passion for life and his extraordinary gifts. He wrote, spoke, and sang with powerful beauty and an unerring sense of the dramatic. It was a deep joy to laugh and talk together and to accompany his singing. I sorely miss him and send my prayers and love to Jeanie and family.
Gary, beloved Brother, Uncle and Brother-in-law, you will always be missed and in our thoughts and prayers. Peace and love to Jeanie,Jennifer, Sean and grandchildren. The Steve A. Robertson Family
What a gift to have been able to sing with Gary—in the choir and also in the Valentine program we did. He had a very special knack of being able to bring out the best in everyone–and in everything! My heartfelt sympathy to Jeanie and the family.
Judy Meyer
We’ve lost a great heart, along with the beautiful voice that spoke and sang of his heart’s fullness. Wishing peace to Jeanie, their family, and all those who will miss Gary.
Jeanie, Jennifer and Sean-I am holding you closely in my heart. Please know that I have many fond memories of Gary belting out a song in our tiny college apartment. As our paths parted after that time I will always remember him as that robust, enthusiastic talented young man!
Dear Jeanie and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. He was missed already last year after his diagnosis but when he was able to come to church late last year it was truly wonderful. I will always remember Gary as a person who passionately sought beauty- either by being able to guide a person’s eye, or ears, or heart to it or by creating beauty himself. And he created so much beauty. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with you all.
I remember Gary fondly as one of the first people to befriend me as I made my way into the family at First Unitarian Church. I loved his voice and his sense of the dramatic. I’ll always remember the piece he put together for the M.L.K. Jr. celebration a couple of years ago. My sincere sympathies to the entire family.
I remember Gary fondly as one of the first people to befriend me as I made my way into the family at First Unitarian Church. I loved his voice and his sense of the dramatic. I’ll always remember the piece he put together for the M.L.K. Jr. celebration a couple of years ago. My sincere sympathies to the entire family.
Though we have fallen out of touch over time, I think of Gary often, and will continue to do so. He worked some real miracles at Town & Gown Theatre, and directed and produced some of the finest shows I’ve ever had the pleasure to be associated with.
Gary also had the rare ability to combine a passion for his work and his art with a true love of family. We are all lucky to have shared in his life.
Gary enriched all the lives he touched. As a friend through grade school and high school, I would have never imagined that I would later visit with Jeanie and Gary in New York and be on a downtown street with Gary belting out “New York, New York,it’s a wonderful town” with each inconvenience we encountered.
What fun to know Gary! What a talent! What a friend!
May your family be comforted by our love.
Phyllis Chandler Grey
Gary enriched all the lives he touched. As a friend through grade school and high school, I would have never imagined that I would later visit with Jeanie and Gary in New York and be on a downtown street with Gary belting out “New York, New York,it’s a wonderful town” with each inconvenience we encountered.
What fun to know Gary! What a talent! What a friend!
May your family be comforted by our love.
Phyllis Chandler Grey
Still can’t believe that I’ll never see or discuss another film with Gary. I will miss his insight and wit. My deep condolences to Jeanie and the family he loved whose loss is more profound than mine.
Gary was a warm hearted and vibrant presence. I will miss his intense energy and diving so passionately into conversation. He gave us his gifts. Love and support to Jeanie and family.
Gary will missed by many and loved forever. His battle inspires us as we deal with ours. We will always hold him in our hearts as long as we will live. We know he is with his brother Steve and his parents now, smiling down on everyone who is thinking of him.
All our love to his family and friends
Diane and Tony
Gary will missed by many and loved forever. His battle inspires us as we deal with ours. We will always hold him in our hearts as long as we will live. We know he is with his brother Steve and his parents now, smiling down on everyone who is thinking of him.
All our love to his family and friends
Diane and Tony
We are so sorry to learn of Gary’s death. We understand he had many ups and downs since he was diagnosed but it is all up for him now. Cancer seems to invade each family in some way or another. We are grateful to have known him – God’s blessings on you Jeanie and the rest of your family.
Gary was very gifted and talented as evidenced by his incredible career and successful life. His influence was very positive for many whose lives he touched. Jeanie, our prayers are with you and your family.
Dan and Noreen Fishback
Gary was very gifted and talented as evidenced by his incredible career and successful life. His influence was very positive for many whose lives he touched. Jeanie, our prayers are with you and your family.
Dan and Noreen Fishback
Gary was so viberant, always so friendly to everyone. We enjoyed his amazing voice. He will be greatly missed by all he touched. Our deepest sympathy to Jeannie and family.
Gary’s is vividly alive in memory. I remember and honor his rich voice in the choir, his contributions to many committees, the services we worked on together. I treasure the stories he told, his generosity, his warmth to human and collie. Good-bye to a good friend.
I am imagining Gary writing yet another play…some of his notations might be as follows:
ACT I
THE ENDING OF THE BEGINNING
Earthlife was fun and full.
Great family, fab wife and kids and dogs. But,it was only a prelude.
ACT II
THE BEGINNING OF FOREVER
Lot’s of ’wows’ where I am. Much to read, do, and of course, write. Really glad to have time unending to do it all.
ACT III
HEAVEN CAN WAIT
I’m waiting for you all; but, no rush! Yet, I do have tons to talk to you all about. ’Nagel, you’re gonna have a lot of listening to do…I know what you’re thinking: “heaven can wait”.
The voices in the heavenly choir just got better. Mom and I miss him and pray for Jeanie and your family. He was a great friend and had such enthusiasm for life. Candy & Betty
My deepest condolences to Jeanie and kids. It don’t seem that long since highschool. It was always good to see Gary & Jeanie at the reuions. My prayers are with you and family
Mike&Susan Miller
Our deepest condolences to Jeanie and kids. It don’t seem that long ago since highschool. It was always good to see gary&Jeanie at the reunions. Our prayers are with you and family
Mike&Susan Miller
It was a wonderful Celebration of Gary’s Life Service. On the drive home, Tim told me he wanted to stand up and tell of his memories, but was too shy. So Jeanie, I thought I would tell you what he said. “I think of many different memories from the first day of school to more recent years, but what I remember most,naturally chorus, but also Gary and the other varsity basketball team making Fairview so proud.”
We will always remember Gary.
Tim and Sue Mitchell
Jeanie, I am so sorry to see this. I recently thought of you both, my enduring friends our enduring memories.
Jeanie, I am so sorry to see this. I recently thought of you both, my enduring friends our enduring memories.