Augusta, GA-----Dr. Mason Gordon Robertson died on Friday, July 20, 2012 at The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta, GA, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 28, 2012 in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA. A celebration of life reception will be held following the service at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott, 100 General McIntosh Boulevard • Savannah, GA, 31401.
He was born Feb. 9, 1926 in Wilmington, DE, to William Joseph Robertson, former editor of the Savannah Morning News, and Susan Preston Robertson of Virginia. Robertson grew up and attended school in Easton, PA., and moved to Savannah, GA as a teenager. He attended and played football at Villanova.
Following service in both the United States Navy and Armed Forces, Robertson completed his undergraduate degree at Washington and Lee University. He graduated from The School of Medicine at the University of Virginia in 1954 and completed his residency and fellowship in Internal Medicine at Emory University and Grady Hospital in Atlanta.
Dr. Robertson married Mary Demmond on Aug. 9, 1952, and the two moved to Savannah in 1958 where Robertson practiced medicine for 25 years. He later became Board certified in Hematology and Oncology in 1974 and 1975.
Dr. Robertson was an active community leader in Savannah. He and his wife, Mary, were active in the Civil Rights movement, participating in lunch counter sit-ins and being founding members of the Human Relations Council. They served on the Board of H.O.P.E. (Help Our Public Education).
Dr. Robertson also battled segregation in the delivery of medical care. When he opened his practice in Savannah in 1958, his waiting room was desegregated while most hospitals and medical practices at that time were still segregated. He provided information to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission on segregation at Memorial Hospital. In 1987, he was the recipient of the NAACP Freedom Award, the highest honor given by the Savannah branch in recognition of outstanding community service for his dedicated practice of medicine regardless of race, religion or economic condition.
Dr. Robertson served several years as President of the Chatham-Savannah Health Council and led efforts to fluoridate the city water. He remained a member of the Health Council for 20 years and also served as Chief of Staff at Memorial Medical Center. He was an active member of the National Medical Association, Georgia branch, and was honored with the Hardman Cup award in 1990 from the Medical Association of Georgia.
Always concerned with indigent care and the state of the public health system, Dr. Robertson championed for a medical campaign against sickle cell anemia, from which many of his patients suffered. He helped establish the first Sickle Cell Anemia clinic in Savannah and fought for federal funding in the research of a cure of the dreaded disease.
During his career, Dr. Robertson published numerous medical articles in a variety of professional journals. He retired in 1984 due to Parkinson’s Disease which he referred to as “a damn nuisance.” Early retirement allowed Dr. Robertson to travel to China, Scotland and England with his wife and to teach courses in Medical Ethics and History at Armstrong State College.
In later years, Dr. Robertson and his wife relocated to Augusta, GA to Brandon Wilde Life Care Community. In 2008, Robertson and his wife, posthumously, received the W.W. Law Award from the Economic Opportunity Authority of Savannah for their courageous efforts during the Civil Rights Movement in Savannah.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Robertson was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary, and his brothers Preston B. Robertson and William J. Robertson. He is survived by his children Mary Lynn R. Zirkle (Chuck) of Atlanta, William P. Robertson (Claire Pomeroy) of Sacramento, CA, and Susan R. Kuzia (Stan) of Augusta; his grandchildren: Preston Hendrickson (Robert), Mary Pierce Bulloch (P.J.), Sarah Zirkle, Virginia Kuzia, and Will Kuzia; his sister, Susannah Rockwell (Ralph) of Savannah; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and grateful patients.
Thanks go to all the doctors, nurses and caregivers who assisted Dr. Robertson during his long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, especially the care he received from the nurses of Trinity Hospice.
A special thank you goes to “Doc’s” long-time caregiver, Linda Jackson, who took excellent care of him for the last six years of his battle, and became a great friend and support to Robertson and his entire family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dr. Robertson’s name be made to the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, 1101 15th St., Augusta, GA, 30901 or The Economic Opportunity Authority of Savannah-Chatham County, P.O. Box 1353, Savannah, GA 31402.