Menlo Park, California - John Patrick Robertson, M.D.

John Patrick Robertson, M.D., born January 29, 1932, in Joplin, Missouri, died peacefully in Menlo Park, Calif., on August 26, 2025.

Dr. Robertson was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Frances Robertson of Joplin; an infant daughter, Frances Marie; by a beloved stepson, Christian (Cap) Toohey Robertson; two former wives, Linda Hogan and Sharon Robertson; and a brother, Malcom Robertson (Janice, deceased).

He is survived by his son, Phillip, of San Francisco; daughter, Dr. Andrea Richardson (Tony) of Pittsburgh, PA; son, Matthew of Savannah, GA and daughter, Elizabeth Stitch (Max) of Denver, CO. He is also survived by his brother, Henry W. Robertson, Jr., of Joplin, as well as five grandchildren and a number of wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pat also is survived by his special friend, Lynn Ellington, of Menlo Park, Calif.

Pat attended Joplin Senior High School where he played center for the school's football team and was Valedictorian of his class in 1950. He attended Washington University in St. Louis where he pursued twin majors in French Literature and pre-medical sciences. He earned Phi Beta Kappa with honors.

He completed medical school at Washington University in 1957. He completed five years of specialty training in San Francisco General Hospital, University of California Services, where he was chief medical resident physician his last year. He passed his specialty board examinations in internal medicine and engaged in private practice in San Francisco for 40 years. He also was involved in real estate development.

Pat also was associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco for many years.

He was a board member of the San Francisco Opera touring company under Director General Kurt Herbert Adler, which sparked the career of Renee Fleming, among others. A member of the St. Francis Yacht Club, Olympic Club, and The Family Club, Pat enjoyed motor yachting in the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Bay and San Francisco Delta. He especially enjoyed salmon fishing off the Marin Coast, as a result he became expert at making Gravlox.

A late snow-ski learner at age 41, one month at Val d'Isere launched him down many slopes of the Alps, Rocky Mountains, and Sierra Mountain.

After retiring from private medical practice in San Francisco, and ever the farmer at heart, Pat founded a vineyard in Lake County, Calif., raising Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes, from which he vinted award-winning wines while practicing medicine in rural Lake County.

In later years, Pat delved into writing for his own amusement, including novels, short stories, plays and poetry. He considered medicine a gift from all his teachers, whom he cherished, as well as his profession and family, the two continuous threads of his life.

There will be a private graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, MO. Donations may be delivered to The Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C., or to the charity of one's choice.