Dr. David Robertshaw was born January 15, 1934 in Ripon, Yorkshire, England to Dorothy Whitmore and Rawson "Robbie" Robertshaw who started out as dairy farmers. He had two brothers, John (d) and Ryland. He died November 8.

His career spans four continents with a focus on emerging centers of higher education, in most cases it being an unplanned and evolving process.

He obtained his veterinary and PhD degrees from Glasgow University, Scotland. His Ph.D advisor was Sir James Black who won the Nobel Prize for developing Beta Blockers. In Glasgow he met and married Margaret MacRitchie in 1959. He was invited to do research in Kenya, so the newlyweds took a boat for 2 ½ weeks, going through the Suez Canal and sleeping on deck.

He worked in Kenya on three different assignments. His first assignment was studying adaptation of animals to desert environments. His last assignment was as the inaugural professor of veterinary physiology at the new University of Nairobi.

He worked at the Hannah Research Institute in Ayrshire, Scotland. Then became professor of physiology in the Biomedical Sciences program at the Bloomington campus of Indiana University, and joined the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell in 1987 after an appointment at Colorado State University.

In 2000 he transferred to Weill Cornell Medical College and became the founding Associate Dean at the branch campus of the medical college established in Qatar. He retired in 2008 and was subsequently appointed as a Fulbright Specialist, his first assignment being to the new and first university in Nazareth in the Galilee region of Israel.

David lived a life of academic excellence, adventure, service, curiosity, integrity, and faith. His face would light up when he talked about his King Edward VI grammar school, physiology, camels, undergraduates (he loved his time as faculty in residence), friends and colleagues from all over the world, and his partner in all things, Margaret.

Memorial Donations may be sent to Forest Home Chapel, 224 Forest Home Drive, Ithaca, 14850. Services will be at the Country Club of Ithaca, 189 Pleasant Grove Rd. on Tuesday, November 19 at 3 p.m.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ithaca Journal from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for David Robertshaw

Sponsored by The Ithaca Journal.

13 Entries

Jackie Sayegh

December 6, 2019

The staff and Advisory Board members of the Institute for African Development are saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend. David will be remembered for his warmth, unparalleled professionalism and commitment to the service of humanity. Rest in Peace.

Giving a joint presentation at Comparative and International Education Society Conference (CIES), Washington DC, March 8-13, 2015 (with Lazare R Sebitereko, Eben-Ezer University (DRC) and Christine Leuenberger, Cornell University).

Christine Leuenberger

November 19, 2019

It was a gift to know David - he was an inspiration in so many ways. He was a wonderful human being and truly committed to international education and to Fulbright's mission. We will honor him by furthering international education going forward to fulfill his vision!

Kenneth MacRitchie

November 15, 2019

Dear Aunt Margaret, we are so sad and praying for you at this time. Uncle David has been an example to me from my earliest memories as a child visiting in Mauchline. His keen interest in me and wise counsel on your regular visits back meant that I always felt connected. His combination of warmth and humility with academic excellence and strong faith is something to which I have aspired. He connected with all ages and my children also loved his company. I am so glad that you were both able to make your last UK visit which is now an even more precious time of enjoying each others company. I am so sorry that I cannot be with you next week and shall be praying for you. Looking forward to getting together soon. Love from your nephew and godson, Kenneth.

November 14, 2019

Dear Margaret
Thinking of you.
Sending hugs.
Loren Colbert

Casey Moore

November 13, 2019

Dear Margaret, I am so sorry to hear about David. I feel very blessed to have worked for him in my initial years at Cornell and to keep in touch throughout the years. I will always remember his quick step, even quicker wit and ready smile and laugh. He was a wonderful person and gentleman in every sense of the word. His dedication to research and teaching and his belief in the importance of access to education led him to so many corners of the world. He was truly an inspiration. Through all of the people whose lives he touched, his legacy will reverberate throughout decades to come.
I hope fond memories of your life together bring you comfort during this time. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Peter Nathanielsz

November 13, 2019

I had the good fortune to work under David as a member of his department at Cornell as well as conduct a few research projects with him.

David was a very accomplished physiologist and teacher. His great characteristic was that he was amazingly numerate. Science always had to be quantifiable for him. That is exactly as it should be. No ifs, buts or maybes. For David it was all about the evidence. I learnt a great deal from him.

As Pasternak said in one of his books - not Zhivago I think - we are all of us who we are by virtue of whom we have met and walked with.

Margaret I will be thinking of you.

Thank you David.

Mohamud Verjee

November 12, 2019

My sincere condolences to his family. Our paths crossed as I arrived at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar when Dr. Robertshaw was the Associate Dean for Pre-Med in 2007. A kinder man one could not have met with always a warm greeting as we met and passed in the university corridors. He returned for visits after 2008 and gave you the feeling that he had not even left. He will be remembered well for many a year.

Deena Shehata

November 12, 2019

Mrs. Robertshaw, I am so sorry to hear about this terrible loss. I have such fond memories of you and Dr. Robertshaw inviting me to your home in Qatar when I was a new lecturer. I learned so much from Dr. Robertshaw, as many others have too, I'm sure and he was always so supportive of me as I was learning how to navigate my way through WCMC-Q.

Bruce & Kathy Montgomery

November 12, 2019

Margaret, So sorry! It was our absolute pleasure to have worked and socialised with David and you in Doha. He was a true Gentleman in the traditional sense of the word. There must be several generations of students and researchers around the Globe who will be thankful for the input and influence he had on their lives. Peace be upon Him. Bless You.

Sharon Mathew

November 12, 2019

Dear Margaret, Dr. Robertshaw was a great teacher and friend. My family and I will fondly remember my dear Grand Pa till we meet him again in the Heavenly abode.

Joyce and Vinay Alvares

November 11, 2019

Dear Mrs Robertshaw... I was deeply shocked to hear about Dr Robertshaws passing. He is definitely The most amazing boss I have ever had. May he Rest In Peace. Sending prayers your way.

Susan Lacey

November 11, 2019

I am so sorry to learn of Davids death. He was so very kind to me when we worked together at WCMC-Q. He was a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Fran Blau

November 11, 2019

Dear Margaret--Larry and I are deeply sorry for your loss. David was such a lovely gentleman. His professional accomplishments were many and outstanding. He was also a wonderful human being and a good neighbor. We will miss him! Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Warm regards, Fran Blau and Larry Kahn

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