Anthony William Robertson

ROBERTSON, Anthony William It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Tony Robertson in Nanaimo on June 28, 2021, at the age of 71 years. Tony was born in Vereeniging, South Africa and at a young age moved with his family to Victoria (via Scotland), later attending his undergraduate degree at UVic. Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Faith Takishita, brother Ken Robertson, niece Elena Robertson (husband Gordon Waddell), two nephews: Toshiro Takishita (daughter Jenny) and Chris Robertson (partner Miranda Harvey and two children, Owen and Finn), and his brothers-in-law Robert, David, and Sam Takishita. Tony was a dedicated professor of Neuropsychology and member of the Psychology Department at Vancouver Island University for over 30 years. He was a loved and respected teacher who claimed he learned as much from his students as they did from him. Tony was widely read and studied an eclectic range of disciplines which he integrated into his lectures to engage and challenge his students and to demonstrate the relevance and application of neuropsychology in everyday life. As an active faculty member Tony served on and chaired many committees throughout his career and contributed to the Nanaimo community sitting on external boards including as a Director for the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society. Early in his career, Tony conducted research in Neuropsychology at Carleton University (On) where he earned his MA and PhD. He was awarded an NSERC grant which he took to SFU researching with some of the first Magnetoencephalography (MEG) equipment. Tony published many research papers, particularly on sensory perceptual and human cognitive function. He collaborated with other researchers on various projects such as clinical studies at the Lions Gate Hospital (Vancouver). While at VIU, Tony also held an Adjunct Associate Professorship at UVic in the Department of Psychology and Faculty of Graduate Studies (2005-2018). Although Tony dedicated many extra hours to his students and colleagues, he still had time to share with his wife, family members and friends, and to pursue outside interests. Throughout his life Tony had a great love of music. This passion started when, at the age of twelve, he got his first guitar for Christmas and there was no holding him back! By the time he was fifteen he was playing in a rock band in clubs (under-aged). A few years later, he found his true love playing the classical guitar. Tony enjoyed attending theatrical and musical performances and was an avid member of Victoria's Early Music Society of the Islands (EMSI). He read extensively, was an enthusiastic birder, an amateur photographer, a kayaker, played a bit of tennis, and enjoyed travelling which he hoped to do more once he retired. Our beloved Tony established a fine legacy. His kindness, patience, and generosity of time to others will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues, and students. By request, there will be no memorial service. Donations in Tony's memory may be made to the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society or a charity of your choice.