2008 Woodie Awards
UM graduate and fallen soldier remembered for exceptional academics, character and service
A philosopher and a soldier, Robertson lost to combat in Afghanistan
Emily Southwick
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
"[He was an] extraordinarily fine young man," Howard said. "I'm sure there are some students who survived my course[s] and are clearer thinkers thanks to his help. He was not one to hang out in crowds, but he did have a circle of a few close friends. He had a good, ironic sense of humor and was always a pleasure to work with."
James Page, another former teacher, remembers him for his "first class mind and enviable work ethic."
Page recalls Robertson's dedication to philosophy.
"Especially noteworthy was his intuitive grasp of difficult technical and conceptual issues," Page said. "On more than one occasion I would pose a problem as part of our coming to grips with, say, one of Godel's more difficult conceptual points, and Nick would immediately know the right answer without knowing exactly why it was the right answer. He would then lead his peers in working out why the answer was what it was. He was one of those people you knew would succeed at whatever he turned his mind to."
One of Robertson's other accomplishments during college was his membership in Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society in Philosophy. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, recipient of the Virtue Award for the Outstanding Senior in Philosophy in 2003 and the winner of the Rezendes Ethics Essay Competition.
At the time of his death, Robertson was deployed with Support Operations Team Alpha as a senior voice interceptor. As a cryptologic linguist, he was responsible for performing and supervising the detection and acquisition of foreign communications.
Robertson is survived by his parents David and Nancy Robertson of Venice, Fla; and brothers Douglas Robertson of Bimini, Bahamas, and Todd Robertson of Dedham.
James Page, another former teacher, remembers him for his "first class mind and enviable work ethic."
Page recalls Robertson's dedication to philosophy.
"Especially noteworthy was his intuitive grasp of difficult technical and conceptual issues," Page said. "On more than one occasion I would pose a problem as part of our coming to grips with, say, one of Godel's more difficult conceptual points, and Nick would immediately know the right answer without knowing exactly why it was the right answer. He would then lead his peers in working out why the answer was what it was. He was one of those people you knew would succeed at whatever he turned his mind to."
One of Robertson's other accomplishments during college was his membership in Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society in Philosophy. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, recipient of the Virtue Award for the Outstanding Senior in Philosophy in 2003 and the winner of the Rezendes Ethics Essay Competition.
At the time of his death, Robertson was deployed with Support Operations Team Alpha as a senior voice interceptor. As a cryptologic linguist, he was responsible for performing and supervising the detection and acquisition of foreign communications.
Robertson is survived by his parents David and Nancy Robertson of Venice, Fla; and brothers Douglas Robertson of Bimini, Bahamas, and Todd Robertson of Dedham.
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