Richard Sory Robertson

Richard Sory Robertson died peacefully surrounded by his family on September 6, 2024. The son of Richard and Bon Sory Robertson, he was born in Dallas, Texas on August 20, 1927. He grew up in Oak Cliff and graduated from Sunset High School in January 1944. He attended St. Olaf College, Northfield Minnesota where he sang in the St Olaf Choir. He transferred to The University of Texas in Austin in 1948 where he graduated from the University of Texas with both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Richard also served in the Army Air Force between college years. 

In October 1951 he married the love of his life, Marian Lea McCurdy, and they were married for over 72 years. They were blessed with five children: Rick, Linda, John, Jeannie, and Beth.

In August 1951, Richard became the Personnel manager of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Ft Hood Texas where he served for ten years. In January 1962 he joined the Texas State Auditor's department as the Assistant Job Classification Officer for the State, later becoming the Classification Officer until his retirement in 1992 from his 30-year career. He served in many personnel (now called human resources) organizations during his career: President of the Austin Personnel Association, Texas SHRM council, Texas State Personnel Administrators, Personnel Administrators of the Texas State Colleges and Universities. He also served on the board of the Capitol Credit Union and was named Administrator of the Year in 1968 by the Texas State Agency Business Administrators Association.

A man of many interests, Richard was a square dance caller from his college years through retirement years where he led square dancing at a retirement home. A kite enthusiast from childhood, he led a kite workshop for 27 years, promoting the annual Zilker Kite Festival where he participated with family, including his great-grandchildren, for 51 years. He was the oldest continuing member of the American Kitefliers Association. Richard was also a vexillologist - one who studies flags and their history. Upon retirement he began participation in the Lifetime Learning Institute of Austin serving on the Council, two terms a Director, and many years as the leader of the Memoirs Writing Class. He also became the genealogist of the family. An Eagle Scout, Richard served for a number of years as a Merit Badge Counselor. A “pre-natal” Presbyterian, he was active in Presbyterian churches in Dallas, Temple, and Austin, serving as an officer, teacher, choir member, and member of numerous committees.

Richard’s wife, Marian, brought him to Rockport on their first vacation where she had vacationed her whole life. Marian and her father took Richard fishing and he was “caught”. Their yearly family vacations there finally led to the purchase, with friends, of the old tourist court which is now called Rockport Cedars Association. It continues to be the family retreat across the street from Aransas Bay.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marian Lea McCurdy, his son John Stephen, his parents, and his sister June Manton. He is survived by four of his five children, Rick Robertson, Linda Campbell, Jeannie Robertson, & Beth Mueller, his 10 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

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A Celebration of Life honoring both Richard and his wife Marian was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on August 31, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to John Knox Ranch, https://johnknoxranch.org/donate or Westminster Presbyterian Church, https://wpcaustin.org/give