Frank Harvey Robertson II was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma on December 19, 1937. He attended Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, graduating in its first senior class in 1956, and, thereafter, the University of Oklahoma where he majored in mechanical engineering. He married classmate Patricia Shubert and, upon graduating from college, worked for General Electric in their semiconductor division in Lynn, Massachusetts before being commissioned in the United States Air Force where, for three years, he served as a maintenance officer at Little Rock Air Force Base. Next, he returned to General Electric, working in hardware sales for the next 20 years in Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, and California. In the 1980s, following his divorce, he met and married Jill McDermed and, together, they embarked upon a career as Pastors in the Presbyterian Church. They attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA and ministered at churches in California, Idaho and Texas. Frank retired from the ministry in 2002 and moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he and Jill happily lived for 23 years. He was active in the United Congregational Church in Middletown, RI and an avid and tenacious tennis player at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.
Frank passed away on September 21, 2026 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, Jill Robertson, his twin sister, Ann McPhail, three children (Mark Robertson, Brent Robertson and Brooke Richter), two step-children (Courtney McDermed and Elliott McDermed), eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Frank lived life with zest and charm and a lot of laughter. He was a snazzy dresser with a penchant for wearing colorful socks and loafers. He was a crafty lefty on the tennis court and relished playing on the grass in Newport. Frank found a way to compliment everyone he met. His smile will long be remembered by his family and his many friends. Rest in peace, Frank.
A memorial service will be held at the United Congregational Church in Middletown, RI on Friday, November 20 at 2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at https://curealz.org/ to help fund Alzheimer’s research.
