James Melvin "Jim" Robertson

In loving memory of Dr. James M. Robertson, who passed away on the afternoon of Friday, October 9th, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born in Weatherford, Texas on June 29th, 1933. He attended Peaster and Weatherford High schools. He received an Associates of Arts degree at Weatherford Junior College. Jim served 2 years in the United States Air Force. He completed his undergraduate studies in Science at the University of North Texas. He obtained his Masters and PHD degrees at Oregon State University in Environmental Science and Microbiology. Known to his friends as “Jim", “Jimmy”, or “Robo”, he was a Haliburton Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. Jim was a microbiologist and taught Environmental Science for twenty-nine years. He also worked with the World Health Organization to improve the standard of living in developing countries. Throughout his career, Jim was recognized with numerous awards. Most notable in 1988, he received the prestigious Tim G. Green Award for exemplary service in the field of environmental health. He served as an advisor for more than 260 graduate students during his career and attracted more than $2.5 million in funding for research.

His other passion was farming. Jim and his wife, Elaine, raised home grown fruits, vegetables and fresh eggs on their farm. Nothing was more special to Jim than the time he spent on his old John Deere. Jim also enjoyed collecting very "Special" rocks and spent many hours with his metal detector in search of buried treasure. He enjoyed listening to classical music, particularly harp and violin music played by his friends.

Jim loved God, his wife, family and his many friends and neighbors. He spent time with the Gideons handing out New Testaments. He and Elaine were devoted to creating shoe boxes full of toys and other gifts for underprivileged children around the world through Operation Christmas Child for the last 17 years. He dearly loved his wife, Rose Elaine, who stood by his side for fifty-eight years and together they battled his cancer for the last twenty years. His kids, grandkids and great-grandkids could always count on an imaginative, off the cuff story with them as the main characters. His friends and neighbors were often surprised with produce from the garden or farm fresh eggs.

Dr. James M. Robertson is survived by his wife, Rose Elaine Robertson; his sister Judith Anne Robertson; his daughter, Cynthia Ann Forrest and her husband Gordon Forrest, his two sons Stephen Matthew Robertson and Dr. John Anthony Robertson and his wife Claudia Ashley Robertson; his six grandchildren, Robin Anne Rougier, Olivia, Isaac, Meridyan, Adley and Rio Robertson; and his great-grandchildren Isabella and Jonah Rosecrants.

In lieu of flowers, donations can made to the OU Foundation through the James Robertson Scholarship Fund.