William B Robertson, Distinguished BSC Alum, Has Passed Away
A Statement from Bluefield State College President Robin Capehart, Following Today’s Death of William B. Robertson, Distinguished BSC Alumnus
“Bluefield State alumnus William Bernard Robertson has passed away. He dearly loved his alma mater and often shared how, when he was a student here, BSC President Henry Lake Dickason and faculty members like Othello Harris-Jefferson made a profound impact upon his life.
Two years ago, the Bluefield State College library was renamed the “William Bernard Robertson” Library in recognition of his distinguished career in education and public service. Just a few months after he was the keynote speaker at BSC’s 2019 commencement, he returned to address a capacity audience at the Library dedication ceremony. At that event, he was saluted for his “career in education and public service through which he would pass along to others the gifts of wisdom and inspiration he had received.”
Among the many endeavors in service to others were two that gave him special joy. As a young man, he led a statewide program through which the Virginia Jaycees raised enough money to establish a camp for people who are developmentally disabled. Camp Virginia Jaycee would serve more than 42,000 individuals with special needs over four decades.
Following his retirement from public service, Robertson returned to the classroom to teach in an inner city school in Tampa, FL. For many years he brought groups of young students from Tampa’s Sligh Middle School each summer to visit his alma mater and encourage them to pursue a college education.
The Bluefield State College family has lost a true gentleman.”
Robin C. Capehart, President
Bluefield State College
