John Robertson

Life Sketch for John Keith Robertson

John Robertson died in expectantly in his sleep on November 27, 2015 at his home in Newton, Kansas.

He was born on June 20, 1956 in Romeo, Michigan to John and Ruth (Pingle) Robertson.

John married Karen Anne Meyers on April 22, 1978 in Royal Oak, Michigan. They were married 37 years prior to his passing.

John was an attorney and currently worked as a grant writer for Thrive Allen County in Iola, Kansas.

John was passionate about the poor and underserved, and he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people who lived in the margins of society. As an attorney, John employed his talents toward finding common ground among warring parties as a mediator, and on ensuring that people with limited resources always had someone in their corner as pro bono legal counsel.

At Thrive, John provided much of the energy and intellectual underpinning that transformed the organization from a small, 3 person operation into a strong 9 employee coalition that has been recognized statewide. He broadened the base of funders and secured Thrive’s first federal and multiyear grants, as well as the three largest grants in Thrive’s history. John’s work writing grants for organizations countywide has left a concrete, tangible legacy that will not soon be forgotten.

John is survived by his wife: Karen Robertson; son: Thomas Robertson and his spouse, Lorie; brother: David Robertson; and sister: Jan Ratliff.

He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Ruth Robertson; and brother: Rick Collin.

A memorial has been set up for Circles of Allen County and Thrive Allen County of Iola.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bass North Community Building at 505 North Buckeye in Iola, Kansas. Petersenfamilyfuneral