Glenn Robertson

It is with sorrow in our hearts we announce the passing of Glenn Robertson at age 91 on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 in Fountain Hills.

Glenn was born April 18, 1925 as the second of two children to Joe and Addrue Robertson of Sherman, Texas. He was raised on a family farm and maintained his easy demeanor and southern drawl for his entire 91 years.

Glenn completed his Bachelor of Science of Electrical Engineering at Texas Technical College in 1947 and his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1949. During his tenure at Chicago, Glenn served his country in the Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, Fla. and San Diego, Calif.

It was while studying for his master’s degree in Chicago that he met Elizabeth Wade, a student nurse at the time, who became his wife of 28 years. Upon graduation in 1949, Glenn married Elizabeth and began his long and distinguished career with Shell Oil in the US and Canada.

Glenn started his career with Shell Oil as a seismologist (geophysicist) doodle bugging his way throughout the southern United States in his early years. Advancement placed him in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1953 where he formulated new seismic exploration techniques within the disturbed belt of the Alberta Foothills.

Subsequently he was instrumental in the discovery of the Shell Waterton No. 1 well in 1956-1957, resulting in the Shell Waterton complex which is still in production today. Additional discoveries in Alberta include Panther River, Sarcee, Morley and Savanna Creek.

In 1958, Shell transferred Glenn and his family from Calgary to New Orleans, subsequently to Denver, and then again to New Orleans where he was chief geophysicist for Shell’s Southeastern E&P Region.

In 1970 he moved his family from New Orleans to Calgary where he was responsible for Shell Canada’s offshore East Coast exploration. Advancement lead to his final position of vice president of exploration for Shell Canada where he headed the exploration team that made the discovery of the massive Caroline sour gas field.

In 1978, Glenn said a final farewell to his wife who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Glenn retired from Shell in 1983 after 32 years of ingenious service receiving the standard gold watch and a lifetime pension.

Glenn married a second time and upon retirement from Shell, Glenn and his new wife Della, moved to Rancho Bernardo, Calif. In California, Glenn took up his new found passion of golfing and became and active board member of the Rancho Bernardo Golf Club. Glenn was known for his three hole-in-ones at this course.

He remained in California making many friends, golfing, all the while entertaining family and friends. In 2011 at the age of 85, Glenn moved one final time to Fountain Hills.

In his younger years, Glenn was an active tennis player arranging frequent matches with his family, friends and work associates. He enjoyed travelling with his wife and children on many camping, fishing, boating and water skiing adventure wherever they were currently living.

Glenn lived a full and joyful life. He was a kind and polite man; well respected by those who knew him. His sudden passing, while a shock to many, gave comfort to his family and friends that he did not suffer after such a resourceful life.

Glenn is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Broiles; his spouse, Della Robertson; and children, Joe Robertson (Susan), Debbie Hansen (Jim) and Doug Robertson (Caroline). He is also survived by two step daughters, many grandchildren and many more great-grandchildren.

Glenn was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth and his daughter Rebecca Stark Hansen.

A private family service was held on Nov. 19, 2016 in Arizona. Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta.

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