Richard Taylor Robertson, 72

A casual gathering of friends and family to celebrate the life of Richard Taylor Robertson, 72, of West Plains, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Buck Park on BB Highway in West Plains. Food and drinks will be available. Mr. died July 16 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains.

He was born April 28, 1947, in Neosho, the son of Richard T. and Wynette Burks Robertson. He grew up in Neosho and attended Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University) in Springfield for his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Later he earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from SMS. 

He taught school at Dora from fall 1974 to spring 1976, and at West Plains High School from 1976 to 2006. On Dec. 28, 1976, in West Plains, he married Jan Tillman. 

He loved challenging students to think, and teaching students how to fall in love with learning. His curiosity toward learning inspired many kids throughout his years of teaching. In his off time, he was an aspiring meteorologist and an avid camper, and he loved floating Missouri streams, the Bryant, in particular. In retirement, he grew to love quilting and gifted family and friends with his unique quilts.

Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, Jan; their two sons, Taylor and Isaac, and their special friends Sara Griffith and Emma Haymaker; one sister, Rosa Barton;  sisters-in-law, Loraine Tillman, and Cathy Gregory and husband Ed; a nephew, C. W. Tillman; a niece, Amanda Beedle; and several close cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ozarks Medical Center Cancer Center or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at the funeral home. 

Online condolences may be expressed at robertsondrago.com.

Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors.