Robby Robertson

Robby Dean Robertson (1947-2024)

Robby Dean Robertson, 77, of Fresno, California died peacefully at home surrounded by his daughters on November 15, 2024. His was a life steeped in service, work, and care for others with a penchant for teaching and bringing wonder to the lives of children.

He was born in Price, Utah on April 12, 1947, to Dean and Helen “Beth” Robertson. He was the third of eight children and the oldest boy. His younger brothers were born when he was a teenager so he claimed to have always been “surrounded by women”, a claim that would continue to be proved true later when his three daughters were born.

Growing up, Robby remembered working from a young age. The stories he most related were about working at the bishop's storehouse or the farm attached. He often mentioned early winter mornings milking an ornery cow while his oldest sister, Karen, sat in the warm car listening to the radio. Stories of him running around with his group of friends, especially his best friend Wayne “Butch” Erickson, were few but precious. He loved to sit high in the apple tree in the backyard and listen to Vin Scully announce the Brooklyn Dodger games on a little transistor radio. He remained an ardent Dodger fan throughout his life. One story that always delighted his children was hearing how his elementary teacher would send him to the post office to mail love letters for her. He said it was because he was a bit of a challenge in the classroom and this gave both him and the teacher a needed break. 

He attended Carbon High School, home of the Dinos, and continued to seek knowledge throughout 

his life. He attended the College of Eastern Utah in his youth, and later returned to California State University, Fresno for a Liberal Arts degree in order to become a teacher. 

He left for a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was nineteen and served in the Franco-Belgium mission from 1966-1969. He learned to speak French, met his lifelong friends, Nathan Coombs and Doug Thompson, and served well, even if he did take a few trips out of his mission area at times. He had an opportunity to connect with his sister Karen as she traveled to the French East mission where she served, and the picture from that day is treasured by both his family and hers.

Robby held many jobs over his life some of which included: insurance salesman, Husky gas station owner, a fender and body man in an auto shop, electrician in several coal mines, and general building maintenance. Later in life, he returned to school to become an elementary school teacher, and continued as a substitute once he retired. His students, and temporary students, would remember him for his dinosaur shows, math tricks, and liberal use of sugary bribes for both good behavior and completed work.

Robby met his wife through “Old Doc” Selman, a man who invited everyone into his house, and had no qualms with setting up his son-in-law’s best friend with the young woman from the state Head Start program he'd recently met. 

Robby and Ginnie Widdison married in November 1973. In November 1974, four days after their one-year anniversary, they welcomed their first of three daughters, Chantelle Robertson, into the family. Deborah came two years later, and Kayla was only a few months off being a nine-year anniversary gift.

Robby had a penchant for turning friends into family. This began with Butch Erickson, and Maughan Guymon, later it included Nathan Coombs and Doug Thompson. The Guymon family of thirteen children and only two boys continued to leave Robby vastly outnumbered by women young and old, though the Erickson clan valiantly tried to even the numbers.

Many years were spent in Huntington, Utah where Robby participated in community choirs, served in many callings for his church, and shared his talents in community musicals. He also had years of camping, hunting, fishing, and off roading with his friends and their families.

It was his friendship with Nathan that brought the family to Fresno, California after the coal mine he worked in closed and forever changed the trajectory of their lives. 

Children grew up in Fresno where they made deep friendships that grew into family including Nanami Yoshioka, the Aguilar family, and Sheyna Mills. Following Robby's pattern of turning friends into found family, Kayla has been friends with Nanami since she was five years old. Chani was adopted into the Aguilar family and they were adopted right back as Robertsons. Debbie found the neighbors down the street had both a coworker, Matt Horn, and two little boys in need of a “sugar auntie” to help out when parents or grandparents weren't available. 

Through this adoption process, Robby has gained a legion of grandchildren. Each Guymon child was like one of his own, so their babies were doted on at every possible opportunity. The Aguilar clan grew and expanded to include spouses and children. Now nine more children have known his spoiling ways and trickster magic; to have memories of riding in the cars of a steam engine, visiting the giant redwoods, having tiny pumpkins magically grow large, or facing their fears in the “Haunakaboose” (the ‘haunted caboose’ at a local farm stand decorated for Halloween). Even though the Horn boys were far from Fresno, he still asked after them and enjoyed hearing about Debbie's exploits with them with all the relish of a proud grandparent. Truly, there was no child safe from his paternal instincts.

Robby had a way with kids. Tiny babies were easily put to sleep on his shoulder, and he often took the time he was “trapped” by a sleeping child to take a nap himself. He loved learning new things and passing that knowledge on. He was constantly pointing out the majesty and wonder of the natural world. He seemed to know every rock, tree, and river in Southern Utah as well as all the red rock country in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Once a “Sunday drive” ended with the car of kids and in-laws in Yellowstone National Park (no seatbelt laws at the time it's amazing everyone made it this far). Many a trip was taken in Butch’s blue Jeep up narrow mountain trails or into deep, cool river valleys. 

Robby was deeply concerned for the welfare and happiness of the children in his sphere of influence. Even his last thoughts were of ways to help kids that were without direction and without support. His vision was to bring together all the institutions that serve children and have them work as one to cover the needs of any and every child.

Robby was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Karen McKenzie and Nancy Morgan, brother Scott, and his best friends Maughan Guymon, Wayne “Butch” Erickson, and Nathan Coombs. He is survived by his siblings Rita, Michele, Helen, and Mark. As well as his daughters Chantelle, Deborah (Eric “Ric”) Malicoat, and Kayla, numerous nieces and nephews, and members of the Guymon, Erickson, and Aguilar families who have been like his own children and grandchildren.

Funeral service, Saturday, November 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Huntington, Utah where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service. A brief dedication of the grave will be at the Huntington Cemetery afterwards. To view the livestream of the funeral service please go to www.fausettmortuary.com and click on Robby’s page. Below his obituary the service will show up.

A celebration of Robby's life will be held in Fresno sometime close to his birthday in April. Further information will be given closer to that date.

As Robby loved teaching, and cared about educating young people, in lieu of flowers please consider any donation to a children's based charity in his memory. Arrangements are in the trusted care of Fausett Mortuaries where family and friends are always welcome and may share memories online at www.fausettmorutary.com.