Dale L. Robertson

Robertson, Dale L.
July 14, 1923 - February 26, 2013
Dale L. Robertson was born on July 14, 1923. He passed away Feb. 26, 2013 from complications of lung cancer and pneumonia. He was born in Harrah, OK to Varval and Melvin Robertson. Dale attended Classen High School in Oklahoma City. As he started his junior year, he was declared ineligible to participate in sports because he had fought in two professional boxing fights. He therefore decided to enroll in the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore OK in which he could participate in sports. While attending, he was nominated All Around Athlete. When he was in his first year of college, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and thrust the U.S. into WWII. Dale, along with some of his friends signed up, and thus he started his military service in Ft. Sill OK. He was then sent to the horse cavalry at Ft. Riley, KS. From there to Ft. Knox, KY to officers school where he was commissioned a Second Lt. in the Armed Forces. Afterwards, he was sent to the Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir, VA. He was later wounded in Germany near the end of the war while serving with the 322nd combat Engineer Battalion. He was awarded the Bronze Star and is considered as one of The Greatest Generation. Dale was discovered by Fox Studios from a photo he made for his mother in North Hollywood, CA which was displayed in a window at a photo shop. He was signed to a multi-film contract. Dale was a true cowboy and starred in mostly westerns, with a few exceptions as in Son of Sinbad with Vincent Price, Fast and Sexy with Gina Lolabrigida, Take Care of My Little Girl with Jeannie Crain and Call me Mister with Betty Grable. He was most well known for his long running series, Tales of Wells Fargo. He went on to make the Iron Horse and hosted Death Valley Days. He also co-starred in Dynasty and Dallas. Again, he starred in his own series, JJ Starbuck. He was beloved by the public and his friends for his down home values and for what he represented as a man. He was adored by his family. He is survived by his loving wife Susan, his daughter Rochelle Robertson and granddaughter Jade Angelica Fusco Robertson. Dale treasured his family and placed deep emphasis on the value of his friends who were the love of his life and was his motivating factor.
He was cremated and his Memorial Service will be on April 14, 2013, 2PM at the Village Community Presbyterian Church: 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. For more information about his illustrious career and photos, please go to www.tributes.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Salvation Army or to Helen Woodward Animal Center, PO Box 64, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.