Charles Alan “Al” Robertson
September 29th, 1932 - November 28th, 2024
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Al's Obituary
Charles Alan “Al” Robertson, 92, of Benton Harbor, MI passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph.
Al was born September 29, 1932 in Grosse Pointe, MI to Everard & Isabel (Smith) Robertson. He graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1950 and continued his studies at Michigan Tech University where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. On September 18, 1954 he married his Copper Country sweetheart, Irene “Mitzi” Ryan in Dollar Bay, MI. Al worked as Engineering Sales Director for Heath Company in St. Joseph for many years and retired from Dwyer Instruments in Michigan City.
Al was an avid sailor of the Great Lakes and sailing was his true passion. As a young boy, he began sailing Star boats on Lake St. Clair out of Edison Boat Club. A longtime member and past commodore of the St. Joseph River Yacht Club, he enjoyed the weekly races around the bouys on his sailboat ‘Snowbird’ and cruising the North Channel. He raced the Mac (Chicago to Mackinac) every July for many years, crewing aboard ‘Cynthia’ and ‘Quintessence,’ both owned by close family friends. It was the highlight of his summer. If there was an opportunity to sail, Al didn’t hesitate. He was most content on the water.
After retiring, Al built the family cottage on Whitefish Bay in the Upper Peninsula and he and Mitzi were longtime residents of Paradise, MI. He became President of the Board of Directors with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and spent countless hours helping the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point transform into the world-class facility it is today. As board president at the time, Al was honored to be aboard the underwater submersible vehicle used to observe the recovery of the ship’s bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Al was an amateur (ham) radio operator and was connected to the ham community as K8BLL. He especially enjoyed his many hours serving as net control for the Upper Peninsula Net. He also loved photography and travel.
Al is survived by his sons Larry (Kelly) Robertson of San Diego and Marshall Robertson of Benton Harbor; daughter Christel (Eric Dutton) Robertson of Sheboygan WI; granddaughters Elise Robertson of Grayslake IL, Lauren Robertson of Grayslake, and Annabelle Goese of Washington DC. He is further survived by his dear friend, Teri Baker.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mitzi, and sister Nancy Marsh.
Our family expresses endless gratitude and love to the staff at Caretel who cared for our father so warmly and thoughtfully these past few years.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Service. A private inurnment will be held at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, 400 W. Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783. Those wishing to share a memory of Al online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
‘Fair winds and following seas, Dad. We’ll see you again on the leeward side.’
Al was born September 29, 1932 in Grosse Pointe, MI to Everard & Isabel (Smith) Robertson. He graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1950 and continued his studies at Michigan Tech University where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. On September 18, 1954 he married his Copper Country sweetheart, Irene “Mitzi” Ryan in Dollar Bay, MI. Al worked as Engineering Sales Director for Heath Company in St. Joseph for many years and retired from Dwyer Instruments in Michigan City.
Al was an avid sailor of the Great Lakes and sailing was his true passion. As a young boy, he began sailing Star boats on Lake St. Clair out of Edison Boat Club. A longtime member and past commodore of the St. Joseph River Yacht Club, he enjoyed the weekly races around the bouys on his sailboat ‘Snowbird’ and cruising the North Channel. He raced the Mac (Chicago to Mackinac) every July for many years, crewing aboard ‘Cynthia’ and ‘Quintessence,’ both owned by close family friends. It was the highlight of his summer. If there was an opportunity to sail, Al didn’t hesitate. He was most content on the water.
After retiring, Al built the family cottage on Whitefish Bay in the Upper Peninsula and he and Mitzi were longtime residents of Paradise, MI. He became President of the Board of Directors with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and spent countless hours helping the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point transform into the world-class facility it is today. As board president at the time, Al was honored to be aboard the underwater submersible vehicle used to observe the recovery of the ship’s bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Al was an amateur (ham) radio operator and was connected to the ham community as K8BLL. He especially enjoyed his many hours serving as net control for the Upper Peninsula Net. He also loved photography and travel.
Al is survived by his sons Larry (Kelly) Robertson of San Diego and Marshall Robertson of Benton Harbor; daughter Christel (Eric Dutton) Robertson of Sheboygan WI; granddaughters Elise Robertson of Grayslake IL, Lauren Robertson of Grayslake, and Annabelle Goese of Washington DC. He is further survived by his dear friend, Teri Baker.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mitzi, and sister Nancy Marsh.
Our family expresses endless gratitude and love to the staff at Caretel who cared for our father so warmly and thoughtfully these past few years.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Service. A private inurnment will be held at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, 400 W. Portage Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783. Those wishing to share a memory of Al online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
‘Fair winds and following seas, Dad. We’ll see you again on the leeward side.’
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