Ian Leonard Robertson of Fairhope Alabama passed away this past Saturday, June 2 at the age of 85.
Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1927, Ian was a WWII veteran serving in the Navy until 1946 when he returned to civilian life and attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY and Colby College in Waterville, ME. Following graduation Ian apprenticed as a printer and soon after set up his first, of several, print shops in his native New Jersey. Over the years he continued to work as a printer as well as a graphic designer, educator and artist. The art of hand letterpress printing was his life's passion and spent several years teaching printmaking at The University of South Alabama. In his working life Ian printed many things, from straightforward commercial graphic design projects to handmade books printed for collectors using fonts Ian created himself. In later years he mentored other printers including his great friend Paul Moxon who helped Ian organize a 2009 retrospective exhibit of his body of work, giving Ian great joy. Mr. Robertson, his wife and son moved to Fairhope in 1972, a town he loved and called home for the rest of his life. Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife of 50 years Jane Kearney Robertson, son, Justin Robertson, daughter-in-law, Wendy Pearson Robertson and cherished grandchildren Graham and Matthew Robertson all of Fairhope, Alabama. He is also survived by Sheila Curwen his beloved younger sister of Bainbridge Island, Seattle. There will be a memorial reception held for Mr. Robertson, Thursday, June 7th at 3:00pm in Fairhope at the Fairhope Unitarian Universalist Church located at 1150 Fairhope Ave. A passionate supporter of animals and wild places Ian would like to be remembered with donations to either the Haven No Kill Animal Shelter of Fairhope Alabama or the World Wildlife Fund.
