Robbie Robertson Memorial Service

Robert Duane “Robbie” Robertson departed this life on his Final Patrol, February 21, 2014, with no regrets or dreams unfulfilled.

Robbie and Teri at the 2013 Holiday Luncheon

All SubVets are invited to attend Robbie’s memorial service, which will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, March 13 2014 at Tahoma National Cemetery (18600 Southeast 240th St, Kent WA, 425-432-6516).

Because of his lifelong commitment to helping others, his wife Theresa decided to honor his memory by setting up the Robert D Robertson Memorial Scholarship fund to be given in his name. Contributions in his memory should be sent to USSV-CF, PO Box 3870, Silverdale WA 98383, marked for his Memorial Scholarship.

Robbie was born in McKeesport, PA in 1925 and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. He joined the Navy in 1943 and placed in commission and became qualified in submarines aboard the USS Tirante in 1944, making three war patrols including the stellar first war patrol which earned the submarine a Presidential Unit Citation and Commanding Officer George L Street the Medal of Honor. He also served aboard USS Amberjack (1947-52), USS Odax (Temp Duty 1950), put USS Seawolf in commission (1955-60) and served aboard the Submarine Tender USS Nereus (1966-67). Robbie was first an Electrician Mate 2nd (SS), then changed rates to Electronics Technician 1st (SS), accepted a commission to Warrant Officer while in Nuclear Power training, and was progressively promoted up to Commander when he retired from the Navy in 1974.

One of his more memorable assignments was working for ADM Hyman G Rickover in the Naval Reactors Branch (1960-65). During this period of service, while supervising the movement of a nuclear reactor via rail, the train derailed and in spite of his injuries, he remained on duty on site for over 30 hours. His ‘Twilight Tour’ was at Bremerton Naval Shipyard from 1972-1974.

He was a Veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Conflicts, and was active in the Tahoma National Cemetery Support Group, Scottish Clan Donnachaidh Society and Seattle Highland Games Chieftain in 1998, Member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Seattle Branch #18. Past Washington State Commander and Past President & Secretary-Treasurer of the Lockwood Chapter, U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, also managing the Polaris Magazine distribution. He was a Life and Holland Club founding member of the Seattle Base of U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc and Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2995 of Bellevue, WA.