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Harry Robertshaw Obituary
Harry will be remembered for his unique style of teaching, enthusiastic and irreverent; for his strength and endurance, both physical and spiritual; for the way he befriended those in his many communities; for his many gifts to others and his unremitting zeal for life; and especially for his laughter and quirky humor, often with a seed of insight. His life was enriched by all his friends and family, with whom he loved to carry out his myriad of projects, activities and celebrations, often peaking in his signature fireworks above the New River.
He was devoted to and will be forever loved by his wife, Kathy; his son, Zack and wife, Meg; his daughter, Brooke; his stepdaughter, Stephanie and husband, Jason, his stepdaughter, Laura; his stepson, Adam and wife, Christy; his grandchildren, Benny, Mary Lou, Susannah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Sophie and Abby; his sister, Susie and husband, Charlie; his brother, Tom and wife, Janet; niece, Emma; and nephews, Silas, Ben, Kerry and Alex. He will be laid to rest alongside his parents, Dede and Al Robertshaw, and grandparents, Mary and Harry Draper, in St. Mary's Church, Portsmouth, R.I.
A service to celebrate Harry's life will be held at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at 1 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine (BRCCM). In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor Harry's commitment to the art of Traditional Chinese Medicine through contributions to BRCCM, 144 Silver Maple Lane, Pilot, Va. 24138, www.brccm.org. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home Blacksburg.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harry Robertshaw
Jack Bibb
October 27, 2010
So sorry to hear about Harry's passing. I was a classmate of his at VA Beach High School 1955-1958; and I went to Va Tech - BSME 1964. I was looking forward to seeing him at the VBHS 50th reunion in late October. and hearing about his life at Tech and Blacksburg.
Brian Hale
August 19, 2010
I was a student of Dr. Robertshaw's at Virginia Tech in 94 as an undergrad and then later a student and advisee in graduate school in 97-98. Dr. Robertshaw on more than one occasion was able to help me through difficult academic times and I will forever be grateful. As a engineering faculty member myself I try to model my own behavior in the classroom and in interactions with students after his great example. Many students whom he never met were effected by him through me and I speak for myself and them when I say thank you!
Phil Rager
May 8, 2010
Harry was a great guy. What a friend to students and the motorcycle club members. No faculty aloofness. After my DT1 expired, Harry and I both raced Hodaka SuperRats (as well as several other club members) but my favorite memory is when Harry & I crossed the finish line bar-to-bar at one of the VTMC races. What a great race!! I just wish that we had gotten together more. Harry's loss leaves a big hole in my heart. Harry, I'm sure that you're riding a SuperRat in the MX Track above.
Dan Babb
May 6, 2010
Harry once told me that when he came to Tech that it was polo or moto X. Well super rats were cheaper than polo ponies and he could ride !
May 6, 2010
Harry and I were mechanical engineering classmates at UVa (1960- 1964)and many times worked together. He always wanted to get at the essence of problems and issues and thoroughly understand them. What worked was important. He always liked a laugh and created a lot of humor himself
Roger Simpson
May 6, 2010
Harry and I were mechanical engineering classmates at UVa (1960- 1964)and many times worked together. He always wanted to get at the essence of problems and issues and thoroughly understand them. What worked was important. He always liked a laugh and created a lot of humor himself
Hite Baker
May 6, 2010
Harry popped-up in my life "twice" around 40 years ago. The first time was riding motorcycles in the forests and coal mines around Blacksburg, VA. We dirt-biked and partied together for a year or so. Harry was a great guy, and a skilled rider. The second time was attending classes at VA Tech where Harry showed up in my classroom in Randolph Hall with a tie, all clean'n spiffy and professional looking. We both did a double-take. At the same time we asked each other, "What are YOU doing HERE?" I had no idea Harry was a professor, and he had no idea I was a student of Mechanical Engineering trying to learn automatic control theory. We went on to race motocross bikes together for several years in the Tech Motorcycle Club and had many close common friends from the early 1970's, which I'll list below. Our relationship continued for years as I periodically returned to VA Tech as an alumnus and then as a recruiter. Harry always welcomed me back to Blacksburg with many laughs, with tidbits of wisdom and friendship. I'm really glad to have known Harry. For the sake of nostalgia, following is a partial list of the VT Motorcycle Club circa 1970, and their "rides".
Ollie McKagen - Bultaco 250
Dan Babbs - Bultaco 125
Bob "Baggs" Bagwell - Kawasaki 238 Sidewinder, Hodaka 100 SuperRat
John Eades - Yamaha 175
Paul Clements - Yamaha Enduro 125 AT1
Steve "Sajo" Sage - Yamaha Enduro 125 AT1
Phil and Belinda Rager - Yamaha Enduro 250 DT1
Edwin Whitelaw - Honda S90, Kawasaki 238 Sidewinder
Alma Henry - Yamaha Enduro 175
Hugh Walker - Honda XL175, Yamaha 400
Greg Hicks - Honda 160, Kawasaki 100
John and Edith Lanum - Honda XL175 Scrambler
Hite Baker - Honda S90, Benelli 250, Honda XL160
Lenny Skreebo - Honda 305 Superhawk
John and Betty Donalley - many
Teddy Shelton - Honda CB160, Honda XL175, Honda CB750
Harry H. Robertshaw - Hodaka 100 SuperRat
Ed Kirkman - Suzuki TS185
Mike Abraham - many
Jim "Jimbo" Souder - Benelli 125, Hodaka 100 SuperRat
BE WELL, HARRY!
Chris Hall
May 6, 2010
Harry was a good man. I always enjoyed talking motorcycles and music and rivers with him, and after he retired I only saw him a couple of times. Once was about a year ago, while having dinner at The Palisades. He looked good, and I was hopeful that retirement was doing well by him. Godspeed, Harry.
Kathryn Snyder
May 6, 2010
Harry had a profound impact on my life years ago. He will be greatly missed!
Hodaka
Ted Shelton
May 5, 2010
Harry Robertshaw was a brave man: he raced a Hodaka dirt-bike against mainly mainstream Japanese motocrossers. He did OK, too. He inspired lots of ME students at VATech with his "fresh" viewpoints, too. I'm glad I knew him.
Ted Arven
May 4, 2010
Harry was always one of my favorite customers to talk with when he visited our store. I've never met anyone quite like him, and will miss him. It was always a pleasure to be around him and hear his thoughts about life. He was one of the most positive and optimistic people I've ever met. Good Luck my friend.
Greg Pedersen
May 3, 2010
It was always a pleasure to be around Harry. His love of life and those around him was infectious. His sense of humor was quite devilish.
May 3, 2010
Suzie,
I'm so sorry about your loss. Your brother sounded like he really enjoyed life. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Donnie
Classic Harry - traveling and reading. Jan 06
Miranda Warburton
May 2, 2010
Harry - LiuHeBaFa, Sappraiwan, Thailand Jan06
Miranda Warburton
May 2, 2010
Harry and Kathy, Koh Chang, Thailand, Jan 2006
Miranda Warburton
May 2, 2010
Harry's wit, enthusiasm, vigor, thoughtfulness and overall gusto set such a wonderful example for me in the years I knew him. Although I will miss his physical presence in our midst, his spirit continues to shine brightly in those of us who knew and loved him in all his various walks of life. What a wonderful man. Miranda Warburton
May 2, 2010
Many years ago, Harry enriched the Radford University learning community as he shared his uses of writing-to-learn that he developed as one means of helping mechanical engineering students become more insightful and knowledgeable. His contributions to the RU Writing Across the Curriculum program had a positive impact on many faculty members and through them on many RU students. Likely there are countless other contributions Harry made of which his family knows little. He was a caring and giving man, and we are better for having known him.
Warren Self
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