John Clifford ROBERTSON

1936 - 2021

REVEREND DR. JOHN CLIFFORD ROBERTSON February 27, 1936 - December 2, 2021 In the season of Advent, John made a peaceful transition to reunite with his Creator, and beloved friends and family after a prolonged battle with Type I Diabetes and Dementia. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to a family of educators steeped in the Methodist tradition, John found community at church as well as on the playing fields where he excelled at sports. Through education he sought to reconcile his intellectual and spiritual callings in his study of philosophy and theology. His journey led him from Texas Wesleyan College to Southern Methodist University, followed by a year of pastoral ministry, then to Yale University where he earned his PhD in philosophical theology. After a brief period teaching in Missouri, he accepted a position in 1968 with the newly established Department of Religious Studies at McMaster University. He was a passionate teacher who left a deep impact on students and colleagues alike. John met Joan at Yale Divinity School, married in 1965, and raised two sons in Dundas, Ontario, with many summer visits to family and friends in Texas and Tennessee, and several formative years on sabbatical leave in Tübingen, Germany. He was a bridge builder who could reach across divides, a gracious partner in conversation, a story-teller and joker with a twinkle in his eye, and a supporter of social justice from civil rights sit-ins in the 60s to LGBTQ rights in the 90s. He loved the arts, biking on country roads, throwing a football, meditating, communing with nature and spending time with his grandchildren. Throughout his life, he remained devoted to his younger brother. Pre-deceased by parents John C. and Thelma Robertson, he is survived by Joan, his beloved wife of 56 years, sons Eric Robertson (Holly) and Mark Robertson (Jonathan), grandchildren Wesley and Anna, brother Arthur Robertson in Fort Worth, and Joan's sister Deen (David) Logan and family in Franklin, Tennessee. We are grateful to the dedicated caregivers at Shalom Village. Cremation followed a private family gathering on December 10, 2021. A service of remembrance will be held in the spring. Donations in lieu of flowers to: St. Mark's United Church, Dundas (e-transfer: office@stmarksunitedchurch.ca), or Wesley.ca. 'In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.'