WKU News

J. Lee Robertson, affectionately known as “Mr. Western,” passed away on July 3, 2024, at the age of 102. 

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 28, at 2:00 p.m. at State Street United Methodist Church, and a celebratory gathering will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center in the Lee Robertson Ballroom.

Robertson was born on June 16, 1922, in Calhoun, Ky., as the third child of Stirman and Anna Hagen Robertson. The family, which included older siblings Sam and Clara, lived on a 150-acre Green River bottom farm that had no hills or rolling land but was simply flat black, rich earth.

In addition to their immediate family, the farmhouse was home to his grandparents, Samuel Booker and Altha Jane Robertson. There was no electricity or central heat, but if at a proper angle, one could read at night by the coal oil lamp. Life on the farm ended when Stirman Robertson insisted that the boys finish high school rather than dropping out to work on the farm. The family moved to a house across from the high school, and Robertson greatly enjoyed life in town and his job at Duke’s Grocery Store.

Following graduation from Calhoun High School in 1941, he joined the U.S. Army and served during World War II in the 44th Tank Battalion in the South Pacific. He was awarded five Bronze Arrowheads for beachhead landings in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands.

Robertson came to Western Kentucky State College in 1946 as a student on the GI Bill after spending two years at Bowling Green Business University. He was also a baseball player for Coach E.A. Diddle and lettered in baseball for three years despite a knee injury. He graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education with minors in English and Biology.

In 1951, after a year as a coach at Park City High School, Robertson returned home to Calhoun and worked in an airplane factory. During this time, he caught sight of a beautiful young lady who turned out to be his neighbor, Betty Joyce Bennett, who had grown up while he was in the war and off at college. He and “Mama Joyce” married on April 2, 1953.

Robertson spent the next 10 years in public schools as a teacher, coach, Principal, Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent. During this time, he earned a Master of Arts in Education from WKU.

Robertson first became involved with the WKU Alumni Association when former WKU Regent Dr. Gerald Edds (’70, ’72) asked him to help organize an alumni club in McLean County. When he moved to Barren County, Robertson became President of the alumni group there.

In 1960, then-President Kelly Thompson (’35, ’43) brought Robertson back to the Hill as Director of Alumni Affairs and Placement Services. While Placement Services became a separate office in 1971, he remained Alumni Director until 1985. His many accomplishments included establishing the Alumni magazine (now WKU SPIRIT Magazine), expanding the number of alumni clubs from one to 50 and initiating an annual giving program.

Although he retired in 1985, his service to WKU continued, spanning seven decades. Among his many roles were Interim Director of WKU-Glasgow, Head Coach of the Men’s Golf Team and Special Assistant to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, which later became Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. It was in that role that he was instrumental in securing a $10.5 million gift from Gordon Ford.

“I would have done for Western what I did for fun if I could have afforded it,” Robertson said of his many roles at the University. “They couldn’t keep my head from being gray, but my heart never got that way.”

In support of higher education advancement, Robertson was a member of the American Alumni Council and later the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He was among the group that launched CASE-Kentucky to coordinate and unite advancement efforts among the state’s colleges and universities. In 2004, Robertson received the CASE-Kentucky Beth K. Fields Award, which recognizes professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty and epitomize the profession.

In August 2002, he received the University’s first Spirit of Western award, which recognizes an individual’s enthusiasm for WKU, loyalty to the institution and principles of the WKU experience and its motto, “The Spirit Makes the Master.” It was at this award ceremony that he was first dubbed “Mr. Western.” In 2005, Robertson was inducted into WKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni, the highest recognition of the WKU Alumni Association that honors individuals who have made significant contributions to their field and who possess the highest standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of WKU.

“The passing of ‘Mr. Western’ is a tremendous loss for our WKU Family,” said WKU President Timothy C. Caboni. “Through his personal care and intentional connection, Lee touched, and many times transformed, the lives of countless individuals during his 77 years serving WKU. He demonstrated profound affection for his beloved alma mater, embodying our motto, ‘The Spirit Makes the Master,’ like no one else.”

His bronze statue, created by fellow WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductee Russ Faxon (’73), stands guard by the Robertson Ballroom in the Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center. The Lee Robertson Scholarship Fund was established in the College Heights Foundation in honor of Lee’s initial retirement in August 1985. The annual scholarship award goes to a WKU junior who has made an outstanding commitment to being a Hilltopper. In addition, the Lee Robertson Legacy Award recognizes outstanding volunteer service to WKU.

Robertson often referred to his 77 years on the Hill as a “love affair,” and he once said, “I love this place. I want to stay around and be part of it. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

“For more than seven decades, Lee fostered thousands of relationships, and he was one of our most beloved Hilltoppers,” said Amanda Trabue, Vice President of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. “No matter what may have been going on, he always said each day was ‘the best day I’ve ever had’ and he inspired all those he met to represent the University in the best way we could. I know we will miss him on the Hill, but his love for WKU will live on.”

For those who had the honor of working with him, knowing him and being loved by him, he was an inspiration and the true embodiment of the WKU Spirit.

“Eight years ago, when I came to the Hill as a new Hilltopper, Lee made sure to welcome me and mentor me about what made our WKU community so special,” said Anthony McAdoo, Executive Director of the WKU Alumni Association. “There is no question that Lee’s legacy will be carried on by the alumni and friends who knew him and were engaged in the life of WKU because of him.” 

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Robertson (’65); daughter, Melenda “Mindy” R. Bower (’76); son, Steve B. Robertson (’79); three granddaughters and four great grandchildren.

Memorial gifts may be made to State Street United Methodist Church or to the Lee Robertson Scholarship Fund. To share special memories of Robertson and send condolences to the family, please click here.

Additional information can be found in the full obituary.

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