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On September 9, 1943 (which was a Thursday....which will be important to remember in a moment) Robert "Rob" Patrick Roberson became a part of the world. Rob was born in Lexington, KY on this date to Mildred Berlin Lile Roberson and Robert Hughes Roberson. His family tried to make him a "Junior", but, as I ( who am "I" you ask ... is important to this story, as you will see in a bit).... "I" pointed out to Rob several years ago....he wasn't a "Junior" because his middle name was not the same as his Father's! (Robert Patrick Roberson, his dad was Robert HUGHES Roberson). This was the best news in the world to Rob, because he didn't want to be a "Junior" (there's a whole OTHER story to this...but the paper charges by the word....so you'll have to text "I" to find out)....but "I" digress. Rob was pre-deceased by his Mother & Father, his brother Don, his sister Joyce. Rob is survived by one sister, Sherri Jarka, numerous nephews and nieces, and his Husband of 24 years "I"....Woody Leonard, of Woodward, Oklahoma.
When Rob was 3 his family moved to Chicago; where Rob spent his entire life.
In 1961, when Rob graduated High School in Chicago, he went to College for a semester. In 1962; in the early days of the Vietnam War and as it was starting to heat up....Rob joined the U.S. Airforce. After his basic training at Lackland AFB, TX and Garland AFB, ALA....Rob was sent to Vietnam (to be in that ungodly melee) as a Helicopter Medic until his honorable discharge in 1966. This horribleness made an impact on Rob, of which he would NEVER speak....as many wouldn't who witnessed it!
Rob and "I" met....(which is another GREAT story....I can't go into here....because I'm charged "by the word")...and after deciding we could probably make it work....he moved to Woodward along with his wonderful dog Muffin on December 9,1997. (You will see there are a lot of "9" dates in this story). He came on blind faith! He truly was a brave person to do such a thing...but I am SO glad he did!
Rob was hired by Louise B. James, to be the Assistant Director of the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum. Rob held that position until Louise retired and recommended that Rob take her place; which of course he did. But, Rob did more than just take Louise's "place"...Rob took what was a 'good' museum and through his insistence on Technology and moved it, forward, upwards, onwards. To say Rob "LOVED" technology....is an understatement...but, it was his curiosity and making the Museum move forward...with employees learning the "NEW" ways, that Rob brought the distinction of having the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum win the "Best Small Town Museum in Oklahoma".not ONCE but TWICE under his leadership. The second time was in 2020.
Rob not only brought the State honors to the Museum, he instituted many, many activities to bring people INTO the Museum. He worked diligently on Programs, Technology, Exhibitions. To name a few of the great things he instituted were the ; Dixie Waddle Annual Christmas Ginger Bread Contest, The Paul Laune High School Art Competition, The Annual Elementary Christmas Tree Event, The highly competitive Photographic Contest , The Chuck Wagon Breakfasts, The individual Artists that he would feature in the newly named "Roberson Exhibition Hall" and many other events. What is the coolest of all of the many, many things (which I can't go into...remember it's by the word) Rob did, was to make EACH and EVERY....EVENT....ARTIST....STUDENT...VISITOR feel incredibly special! It was his gift to Woodward and everyone...that made Rob the special person he was! Rob loved me, our dogs, Woodward and I truly believe the people of Woodward, loved him.
Rob's Service will be held on September 9, 2021 (which is a THURSDAY...this is the "important" thing I mentioned for you to remember, in the first paragraph) at 2:00p.m.; at the Woodward Arts Theatre, Woodward, Oklahoma. We are honoring this extremely Visionary, Talented, Kind, Compassionate, Caring guy , my partner in life, my husband, on his birthday... Thursday...September 9, 2021.
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