Jan. 1, 1940 – Jan. 29, 2026
Beaufort
Obituary for Henry “Robbie” Robertson, husband of Lorraine Landry Robertson.
He was born Jan. 1, 1940 to Harry “Bud” and Joyce Robertson, nee Shaw, in Camden, N.J., and received his education in the public schools of Pennsauken, N.J. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in January 1957 while still a Junior at Merchantville High School. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the regular Marine Corps in April 1959 while in boot camp at Parris Island. He was assigned sea duty aboard the USS Providence.
He met Lorraine while the ship was stationed in Boston, Mass., and they were married on Father’s Day in 1960. She was his inspiration, his partner, and the love of his life from that day forward.
He served as an enlisted man for 9 years before attaining a commission in 1965. In 1979, he retired as a Major, having served in a variety of command and staff billets and as a Marine aviator. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1967-68 flying UH-34D Seahorse helicopters and again in 1972-73, this time flying the A-4E Skyhawk.
Following his USMC career, he embarked on his second career as a Registered Nurse, obtaining his nursing degree from Technical College of the Lowcountry (then Beaufort Technical College) , and practiced in that profession, in a number of settings, for 21 years before retiring from the workforce.
He joined the Burton Volunteer Fire Department in 1979 and was Assistant Chief for two years.
From 1977 until 1982, he volunteered with the Beaufort County Water Festival and was the Facilities Chairman for the first festival held in the then new Waterfront Park in 1979.
He was an avid reader, enjoyed classical and Jazz music but was happiest when he was in his garden with the plants and birds. He became a Master gardener in 2014. He was a loyal Washington Redskins fan for more than 60 years. He developed a keen appreciation for Beaufort history late in life and was a member of a number of historically centered organizations.
“After all is said and done, the one thing that I am proudest of is my wonderful family. A man could not have asked for a more faithful, generous, dependable, patient, and understanding wife. We have two really terrific daughters who never gave us a moment of worry or trouble, five grandchildren who are all honest, industrious, law-abiding citizens who, also, have rarely caused us any concern and, the future of the world, our six precious Great-Grands.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kenneth Robertson, and his sister-in-law, Elaine Robertson, both of Mt. Ephriam, N.J.
He is survived by his loving wife, two daughters, Patricia Jean “Patti” Rogers, and Deborah Ann “Debbie” (Eric) Wheaton; the five grandchildren, Rachel, Amanda, Chelsea, Cody, and McKenna; the six great-grandchildren, Mason “Scotty”, Chloe, Peyton, Paisley, Sullivan, and Waylon Henry; niece, Christine Dutill of Runnymede, N.J., and sister-in-law Patricia Landry of Jamaica Plain, Mass.
He did not subscribe to an organized religion or any partisan political ideology, but was spiritual in his love of nature and a fierce Independent in how he thought, prayed, and voted.
A graveside memorial service was held on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at the Beaufort National Cemetery with military honors rendered by the United States Marine Corps.
Memorial donations may be made to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, PO Box 998, Quantico, VA 22134; the Friends Of Fort Fremont, PO Box 982, St. Helena, SC 29920; or the Beaufort County Historical Society, PO Box 55, Beaufort, SC 29901.