Kristin Elizabeth Robertson

Kristin Elizabeth Robertson passed away peacefully on June 5th, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on May 9th, 1955, to John and Jeannette Robertson. Kristin lived her life with endless enthusiasm and total loyalty to her family and everyone else whom she considered to be family (of which there were many). She will be greatly missed.

Kristin is survived by her husband, Adam Gordon, to whom she was married to for 43 years; her children, Eric Robertson-Gordon and Becca Robertson-Gordon; her daughter-in-law, Victoria Tijerina; and Becca's partner Howard Kay; her brothers, Kirk Robertson and Leigh Robertson; her sister Carol Robertson-Plouch and her dog, Bartok, the energetic poodle.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jeannette Robertson.

Kristin received her undergraduate college degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and then completed a Master's Degree in Music Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Viola. In 2015, she received another Master's Degree in Organizational Design from Fielding University in California, plus multiple certificates in leadership and spiritual training which she received over the years that helped advance her career.

Kristin's career started at the Bank of Boston as a computer programmer. She advanced her professional career by getting in on the ground floor at Advent Software in downtown San Francisco (where her children Eric and Becca were born) and where she advanced to senior leadership before her career brought her and the family to Texas in 1995. She consulted and worked for many companies over the years before she founded KR Consulting in 1998 and eventually Brio Leadership in 2008. She authored several business books, and many articles in business journals throughout her career.

Kristin was an avid walker, lover of nature, reader of many books, gardener, and wine connoisseur. She adored her dogs over the years and the dogs of her children (Scotty and Ira). Kristin was always on the move, never standing still from the time she woke up (often gardening minutes before she needed to be at an appointment, to the constant chagrin of her husband Adam). Speaking of Adam, she loved her husband dearly and their love was the model that her children and others could look up to.

Kristin also loved to travel. Her travels took her throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and all over Europe. Everywhere she went, she enjoyed sampling the culture of the country she was in. In 2016, Kristin and her beloved daughter, Becca, walked a large portion of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain where they got matching tattoos.

Kristin was an active member of many churches and one synagogue throughout her life before she joined First United Methodist Church of Austin. In DFW, she helped to found two churches and was constantly involved in committees and groups for both of these institutions. She "discovered" FUMC through her (at the time) future daughter-in-law Victoria, who sings in the FUMC choir. Her family thinks that it was initially the music which drew her to FUMC, but it was the welcoming church members who made it her spiritual home. She was a Certified Spiritual Director, she helped found the FUMC Women's Spirituality book group with fellow FUMC friend, Cheryl Bias, she was a leader in the Adult discipleship team, participated in Tables for 8, was in the Epiphany Adult Sunday school class, and she was active in numerous church committees.

She was constantly entertaining guests in her home, as she enjoyed connections and making new friendships. There was never a stranger in her home particularly around the holidays, but also just whenever she desired to entertain (again, much to the chagrin of her husband). Kristin was an example of generosity and hospitality, giving to numerous charitable causes.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask instead you do as Kristin so often did in her life. Because she was an extraordinarily generous giver, we are asking that you make a donation in Kristin's name to causes that Kristin passionately believed in. Kristin gave generously to the many churches in her life and to many liberal causes and groups that benefited people in need. Among many other things, one of Kristin's greatest legacies was in trying to help leave the world a better place and we all loved her for that. We would be grateful if you would simply let us know to whom or what cause you donate in Kristin's name.

Celebrations of Life are being planned for Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth, TX with the first celebration on June 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary at the First United Methodist Church in Austin, TX, with a reception to follow at the Great Hall in the Family Life Center at FUMC.

May her memory be a blessing.