Charles Stephen Robertson

1929 - 2015

Charles Stephen "Chuck" Robertson, a lifelong resident of Southern California, passed away on October 31, 2015 after an extended and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. A resident of Corona Del Mar, CA, he was 85 years old.Born in 1929 on Terminal Island, CA, Chuck graduated from San Pedro High School in 1948. His professional career started in the mail room at Van Camp Seafood Co. and took a circuitous path through various positions in accounting, operations and marketing. As his career progressed, he completed his education with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in finance, both from the University of Southern California. He also started a family that included a beautiful daughter and three devoted sons. In 1971, he and Dean Rowley, his trusted and valued business partner, founded Grating Pacific, Inc., a metal fabricating business that has grown to include six service centers in the Western United States. The business continues to thrive today under the management of two of his sons ably supported by four of his grandchildren.While his collaboration with Dean highlighted his professional career, the true partner of his life was his beloved Linda. Married in 1965, they reached their milestone 50th wedding anniversary this past August. Together they were mainstays at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa for nearly 40 years. Linda shared his passion for golf and adventure and together they traveled extensively. Commonly spotted at airports around the globe, their travels took them to six continents, often with a golf bag, family or friends in tow.In retirement, Chuck volunteered to serve on the Costa Mesa Planning Commission, mastered the game of Bridge, read voraciously, and traversed Yosemite National Park with camera in hand. He instilled a love of nature and the ocean in his children, in addition to an unrelenting focus on the value of family.The man with the Scottish smile gave freely and generously to those around him. His only demands: integrity, courtesy, trust and respect, never tolerating lesser standards. He achieved his accomplishments with gratitude and humility and will always be remembered as a gentleman amongst gentlemen with impeccable manners. Chucks' death was preceded by the loss of his daughter Elaine Robertson in 1979. He is survived by his wife Linda Robertson, sister Betty Henton of Costa Mesa, CA, sons Richard Robertson of Scottsdale, AZ, Ronald Robertson of Costa Mesa, CA, Jeffery Robertson of Tustin, CA and their mother Angelina Kirkpatrick of Laguna Woods, CA.He is further survived by his cherished daughters-in-law Sherry, Constance and Julie Robertson and his incredibly loved grandchildren Rachel (Emiliano) Molina of Phoenix, AZ, Kristin (Jason) Rodriguez of Fountain Valley, Maureen (Jonathan) Lewis also of Fountain Valley, Courtney Robertson of Santa Monica, CA, Timothy, Brett and Matthew Robertson, all of Newport Beach, CA, nephews Rick Henton of Harrisburg, PA, Philip Shepard of Fresno, CA and great-grandson Mateo Molina. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Neurosciences Institute at Hoag Hospital (www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org) or the Orange County Chapter of the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyoc.org).