Edgar Robertson

Edgar Harold Robertson, Lt. Col. USAFR, Retired, died December 17, 2011 after a brief illness. Hal was born in Macon, GA in 1917 to William Norman and Leonora Herring Robertson, the fourth of eight children. His family moved to Jackson, MS a few years after his birth. There he enjoyed an active childhood with six brothers and one sister. Hal graduated from Millsaps College in 1939 with a degree in chemistry and entered military service shortly thereafter. He taught aerial reconnaissance photography at Lowry Field in Denver, CO and ultimately made the military his career. He became a pilot, flew a variety of planes, and, while in the Strategic Air Command, was an aircraft commander of KC 132 tankers, the aircraft that refuels bombers in midair. He served two overseas tours of duty in Germany and one in Newfoundland during his military career. After retiring from the military in 1963, Hal managed a chemistry lab at Sunflower Ordnance Plant in DeSoto, KS. He spent a lot of time at the Lake of the Ozarks with friends and family, where he enjoyed boating and skiing on one ski with his children. Hal was a gifted, meticulous craftsman, who created beautiful stained glass lamps, unique fireplace screens and gifts for family and friends. He took great pride in a well-manicured lawn and was aided in that endeavor by his daughter on her visits.
Hal stayed young by playing golf for 70 years. He usually walked. One of the last games he played was with his son on Father's Day, 2008. They rode. Hal and Kay, who married in 1983, blended their existing families into one loving unit composed of children, grandchildren, siblings and friends. They spent 28 happy years together. Hal was preceded in death by his son Lewis, brothers Norman, Eddie, Dan, Brooks and Jones, sister Blanche Minks and stepson Patrick McKeever. He is survived by wife Kay, daughter Meg, brother Herbert (Patsy), stepson Michael McKeever, daughters-in-law Justine Robertson and Wendy McKeever, and grandchildren Randi, Travis, Stephanie and Boyd. Services will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 2 PM at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. A reception at the church will follow. Memorials may be made to K.C. Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

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