Ralph Waldo Robertson

Ralph Waldo Robertson was born on Monday, June 10, 1912, in Fort Supply, Oklahoma, the son of Robert and Emma Jane Favorite-Nichols Robertson. For several years, Ralph lived in Warrensburg, Missouri, moving to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas in the early 1940's, where he made his home until his death on Saturday, April 21, 2007, at the age of ninety-four years. Ralph graduated from Warrensburg High School with the class of 1929. From 1931 through 1998, Ralph was a flight instructor. Also, in the early 1940's, he was a meat cutter for Kroger Grocery Store in Ottawa; 1946 to 1950, co-owner/operator of Snyder-Robertson Flying Service at the Municipal Airport in Ottawa; 1950 to 1971, owned and operated Robertson Motor Co., and Robertson Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc. He continued to sell for Ford Co. until retiring in 1984. Ralph served in the United States Navy from October of 1943 to February of 1946, as a Flight Instructor, earning the rank of Aviation Pilot First Class. He was trained as a pilot, flight instructor, airplane and engine mechanic. He was awarded the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and Naval Aviator Wings (gold). He was a member of First Baptist Church, Ottawa; Ottawa Lodge #803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Ottawa Lions Club; and OX5 Aviation Pioneers. Ralph was united in marriage with Oma Long in Laverne, Oklahoma in 1934. They later divorced. She passed away in 1993. Ralph married Virginia Streebin on August 19, 1940. They were married forty-four years until her death in November of 1984. On August 20, 1987, Ralph was united in marriage with Mary Velma Phillips in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of Wellsville. He is also survived by five daughters, Jody Ebeling of Greensburg, KS, Wanda Dykstra of Brandon, FL, Marilyn Chappell and her husband, Tom, of Olathe, KS, Jane Mitchell of Kansas City, KS, Brenda Robertson of Ottawa, KS; eight grandchildren, Billy Ebeling, Terry Ebeling, Timmy Ebeling, Natalie Dykstra, Heidi Dykstra-Gareau and her husband, Mike, Derek Chappell and his wife, Erin, Jason Chappell and his wife, Sue, Chad Mitchell; and ten great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by five brothers, Charles, Clyde, Troy, Robert, and Ira Robertson; and sister, Verda May Robertson. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25, 2007. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Robertson at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 a.m. Tuesday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Tuesday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Hospice Care of Kansas or First Baptist Church, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.