Frank E. Robertson
From Philosopedia
Frank E. Robertson (15 September 1936 - 6 February 2008)
Robertson received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lowell in 1959. He earned his M. Div. from the Theological School of St. Lawrence University in 1962 where he was certified in Religious Education. At Columbia University he studied World Religions, specializing in East Indian studies.
His interest in world religions persisted throughout his life, leading him to participate in the creation of a World Religions curriculum, published by the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1987.
After being ordained by the First Grace Universalist Church in Lowell, Massachusetts, Rev. Robertson served congregations in Barneveld and Shelter Rock, New York, and Paramus, New Jersey. He served as Minister of Religious Education in Washington, District of Columbia, Santa Barbara, California, and Evanston, Illinois. In 1998, after serving in Evanston for 12 years, he was honored by the congregation as Minister Emeritus upon his retirement.
Robertson was a founding member of Interweave, an organization affiliated with the UUA to address the concerns of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) concerns. In doing so, he helped other GLBT persons to claim their identity. Through their efforts, the General Assembly was lobbied to pass resolutions concerning GLBT rights and the UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns was established.
In 2006, Robertson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School. In bestowing this degree he was celebrated "as an outstanding Unitarian Universalist minister, as a faithful religious educator, as an exceptional leader in many and sundry public institutions, and finally as a courageous pioneer of human rights."
He received the Angus H. MacLean Award for excellence in religious education in 1998. From 1978 to 1980, Rev. Robertson was a member of the UUA Board of Trustees where he was both soft spoken and effective in lobbying for human rights causes. He also served on the board of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA). He founded and chaired the Unitarian Universalist Religious Education History Group and served on the boards of the St. Lawrence Foundation and the US Chapter of the International Association of Religious Freedom. He was an Elder of the ]http://www.themayflowersociety.com/ Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants].
His friend, Rev. Abhi Janamanchi said of him, "Frank was a mentor, friend, cheer leader, and family member. We will miss his wonderful sense of humor, bad puns, deep dedication to our faith, and universal spirit that embraced all regardless of culture, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation."
Robertson is survived by his partner of 36 years, Rick McDonald of Plymouth, Massachusetts; his daughters, Lydia J. Robertson of Brooklyn, New York and Denene Ray and her husband, Jeff, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and grandchildren Charlotte Juergens of Brooklyn, New York, and Emma, Jennifer, and Maddy Ray of Charlotte, North Carolina. A son, Joel, predeceased him in 1993.
Robertson died when 71 years old at his home in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
