Herbert Spencer Robertson, Jr.

Herbert Spencer “Robbie” Robertson, Jr., 89, passed to his eternal reward after an extended illness on April 3, 2026, from Good Samaritan Center in Dowling Park, Florida. Robbie was born in Tampa, Florida, on July 19, 1936, and was the only son of the late Herbert. S. Robertson, Sr., and Winnie Lewis Robertson. He moved with his family to Clearwater, where he graduated from Clearwater High School in 1954. Robbie was a member of the marching band, playing tuba and sousaphone, and string bass with the orchestra.

While attending Stetson University in Deland, Robbie met the love of his life on a blind date in 1955, commencing a romance that endured for more than 70 years. He soon became the devoted husband of Virginia Colter, and together “Ginger and Robbie” created countless cherished memories. Their robust partnership in every aspect of their lives together exemplified how love perseveres through unwavering commitment, even in the face of life’s challenges. Their lives are a testament to the values of family, service, and kindness.

While raising their family in Deland and Jacksonville for over 20 years, Robbie worked briefly for the postal service and a survey crew before joining Gulf Life Insurance Company for an extended career. He started in direct sales and soon moved unto upper management, becoming the company-wide Director of Training while still in his twenties. Robbie earned his Chartered Life Underwriter designation and served as the President of the Southeastern Training Directors Association for many years. Virginia and Robbie then moved to New Smyrna Beach and for over two decades the couple owned an independent insurance agency in Orange City. Robbie was a fully licensed agent in Life, Health, and Casualty insurance. As an active Rotarian for more than two decades, Robbie was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for his years of exceptional service to his broader community.

In their retirement years, the couple built a home in Dowling Park, near Advent Christian Village where Robbie worked for many years. He was a handyman extraordinaire with the ability to fix almost anything. His cheerful assistance could be seen all over campus as he maintained the youth cottages, cleared and beautified hiking trails, and tended the grape vines. Robbie also enjoyed traveling with Virginia in their motor coach while pursuing their favorite pastime of “being alone together and doing nothing with each other.” For six years the couple volunteered during Memorial Day Weekends as campground hosts for the Florida Folk Music Festival. After a cross-country trip in 2010 to visit several National Parks, they preferred shorter forays nearer to home. They spent countless weeks only a few miles down the road in order to enjoy the sounds of nature and work on jigsaw puzzles.

Robbie always supported the ministries of his churches, teaching Sunday School, supporting his children in youth activities, and serving on finance and staffing committees. He was a stalwart supporter of his wife who was a facilitator for Disciple Bible Studies, and he was also a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church. A lifelong Methodist, for the past 25 years Robbie was a member of First Methodist Church of Live Oak, welcoming folks to worship services and Bible study, and as a regular volunteer in their outreach ministries and service projects. His personal studies of scripture and theology were a foundation for his service to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone he met.

Robbie is survived by his children Carolyn Hildreth (Gary), Deborah Midkiff (Bill Doverspike), and Malcolm Robertson (Kim); and his sister Winnie Meighen; three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife Virginia and their son Herbert S. Robertson, III; his parents; and sisters Alice Martin and Linda Moore.

A private interment was held in Bixler Memorial Garden, Dowling Park. There will be a joint Celebration of Life service held at First Methodist Church of Live Oak on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 2 PM, for both Robbie and Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the Robertson family request that donations in memory of Robbie and Virginia be made to Advent Christian Village or First Methodist Church of Live Oak.

Advent Christian Village PO Box 4305 Dowling Park, FL 32064

First Methodist Church of Live Oak

311 Ohio Ave South

Live Oak FL 32064