David Garth Robertson, 83
“If you eat popcorn, it will give you dandruff.” I believed this well into my 20s and is just one example of dad’s ridiculous sense of humor. His stories were so well spun, he’d be wealthy if this were still a profession. He would sneak away with us and get chocolate malts when we were little and say “don’t tell your mom,” and sing Neil Diamond to cheer us up. I always knew I could find him at the end of the day somewhere around the house reading a book. If you didn’t know David Robertson, you missed out!
David Garth Robertson was born on March 31, 1938. On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, he passed away at the age of 83, one day after the 63rd anniversary to his wife Kathy. Dave was a proud parent of three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Dave spent his life with his high school sweetheart, often traveling the world, experiencing the opera in Italy, Shakespeare in the UK, museums in St. Petersburg, Russia, Mt. Fuji in Japan and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, Munich, Germany, and more. Creating lifelong friendships in countries all over the world, his friends stayed close throughout his life.
Dave was born in Shelby, Montana, to Alexander and Verdella Robertson. He graduated from Whitefish High in 1956 and received his degree in business from the University of Montana in Missoula. Dave spent his career in the field of metallurgy, with a focus on titanium. He was known for his work in Russia, for the donation of life-saving medical supplies to their country, and for his presence with the International Titanium Association. Dave loved to sail, fly, golf and ski, both here in the states and in his travels abroad. He was known for his engaging storytelling, quick wit, and his passion for telling a good (or bad) joke. When he wasn’t traveling for work, you could find him on the ski run with his wife working for Ski Patrol.
His father, Alexander, an Irish immigrant, his mother, Verdella, and his brother Denny preceded Dave in death.
He is survived by his wife Kathy, his three children, Lorraine, Michael and Robyn, and his two sisters Arlen and Kathy.
“A limb has fallen from the family tree, that says please don’t grieve for me. Remember the best times, the laughter and song. The good life I lived when I was strong.” (unknown author)
In lieu of a funeral service, the family will hold a celebration of life in the early summer of next year, 2022.
Please visit the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home website www.jgfuneralhome.com to share your condolences.