Robert Scotty Robertson

February 1, 1930 - August 18, 2011

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visitation

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

1200 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-323-9611 |

service

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

1200 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-323-9611 |

Sunday 8/21

Coach Robert Scott Scotty Robertson, III Kilpatrick Funeral Home Ruston, LA Coach Robert Scott “Scotty” Robertson, III RUSTON, LA – Services celebrating the life of Coach Robert Scott “Scotty” Robertson, III will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, LA on Sunday, August 21st at 2:00PM. Officiating will be Rev. Jerry Hilbun, Brian Mercer, and Cathy Brewton. The family will receive friends and visitors on Saturday, August 20th at Trinity United Methodist Church's Fellowship Hall from 5:00PM-7:00PM. He will be buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, in Ruston, LA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Louisiana Tech Athletics Department or School of Education, C.E. Byrd High School alumni association, or Trinity United Methodist Church. “Coach,” as most called him, was a man of integrity, faith and wit whose care for others, passion for life and undying love for his family touched everyone he came in contact with. Despite compiling significant accolades in his professional career, no list does justice in describing a man that touched so many, angered so few and was respected and revered by all. Knowing the man was the only true description of his greatness. For those who knew him, he will never be forgotten. His love will carry on forever. Scotty Robertson was born February 1, 1930 in Fort Smith, Arkansas and moved to Shreveport as a 6th grader. He attended C.E. Byrd High School where he played basketball and baseball for the Yellow Jackets and graduated in 1947. He attended the University of Texas and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1951. He also holds a Masters Degree from the University of Arkansas. After one season of professional baseball with the Chicago White Sox, Robertson hung up his spikes for a career in coaching. He spent 12 years coaching in high school, including 8 at his alma mater Byrd High School, where he amassed a 163-91 record. Robertson then moved to the collegiate ranks, spending 10 years as a head coach at Louisiana Tech. He compiled a 165-86 record and led the Bulldogs to #1 ranking in the national college division in the early 1970s. His Bulldogs won 3 Gulf States Conference championships during his 10 seasons and made 2 NCAA tournaments. Robertson made the progression into the professional ranks where he would spend more than two decades. He coached with 9 professional teams serving as head coach of 3 of those teams. In 1974, he became the first head coach of the New Orleans Jazz and was later head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. He was an assistant coach in the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns, coached in 2 NBA All-Star games, and participated with NBA teams in Japan, Italy and Germany. Robertson was a member of 8 halls of fame and this year was named Alumnus of the Year for Louisiana Tech School of Education. He was part of the Louisiana Tech Letterman Club and the Byrd High School Super Stars. He loved spending time with his Squire Creek family, the Louisiana Tech basketball team, Community Trust Bank friends and duck hunting with his loyal sidekick, “Jet” and the “Z” Duck Club. He was an avid classic car collector, and spent many precious moments on his boats, and at the beach in Perdido Key, FL with his family. His parents Evelyn Ward Robertson, and Robert Scott Robertson, Jr. precede him in death. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Betty Lou Lancaster Robertson, daughters Libby Robertson Power husband, Robert of Frisco, TX, Claudia Robertson Fowler husband, Royal of Franklin, TN, and Vicki Robertson Page of Ruston, LA. The lights of Scotty's life were his ten grandchildren: Patrick Daniel of Lafayette, LA, Lizzie Daniel of Nashville, TN, Meghann Myers husband, Jesse of Houston, TX, Cassie Kelley husband, Charles of Nashville, TN, Michaelanne McConnell of Nashville, TN, Mitchell Page of Dallas, TX, Mary Elizabeth Page of Denver, CO, Scott Robertson Page of Dallas, TX, Emily Page of Dallas, TX, and Robertson Fowler of Franklin, TN. Also survived by his sister Connie Robertson Tarver of El Dorado, AR, sisters-in-law, Mary Lancaster Higginbotham of Ruston, LA and Tut Lancaster of St. Joseph, LA, and many nephews and nieces. Pallbearers include Jerry Hudson, Elee Trichel, Gerald Cobb, John Kyte, Shaun McIntyre, Jimmie Mitchell, John Long, and John E. Maxwell. The family would like to extend the invitation for all of Scotty's former players to serve as “honorary” pallbearers. Special thanks to his caretakers, Renae Johnson, Malcolm Mayo, Marilyn Williams, Dr. David Osafa, Dr. Tommy Smith, and the dear friends at Carroll Home Health and Green Clinic Surgical Hospital who cared for him. We will not cry tears of sadness but happiness for he lived life to the fullest. Our hearts fill with joy knowing heaven needed a new coach and he was the best man for the job. We lift Scotty up, as we know he is smiling down on us and greeting his Lord with his classic “Hey, my man!” Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

1200 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-323-9611 | Map

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

1200 Lamy Lane

Monroe, LA 71201

318-323-9611 | Map

Sunday 8/21

See Condolences

Dear Betty Lou and family, Jane and I cannot express in words how saddened we are to learn of Scotty's death. We remember the times from Rodessa to Chigago we shared and the great memories from Byrd High, La Tech and with the Bulls in Chigago. We will hold your entire family in our thoughts and prayers. Our love to all, Jane & Paul Morgan

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Robertson. My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Robertson and family members. I am a better man because of my years playing for him. He taught me about not only basketball, but life. He expected so much and I hope I didn't ever disappoint him. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences

Betty Lou & Girls, We saw in the paper about Scotty's death. We want you to know how sorry we are, and let you know how much we loved him. Sonny Flores Family

Scotty influenced so many lives in the most positive of ways. That he touched the great, the ordinary all the same, loved his wonderful partner in life and his family led others to be their best is a life legacy. Sadly missed.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

To all of his family,....how lucky you all are to have someone this great in your life....how he touched so many lives....always a smile and a kind word....I am blessed to just have known him.....My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time but he's the angel always watching over us now.....my love to you all..... Marilou Ward Daigle

It is with a heavy heart that we are writing this. We were fortunate enough to get to know Scotty and his wonderful wife Betty Lou shares my Birthday, Dec 18 during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns. He not only served as a mentor to me on the court, but also off the court as well. Scotty and Betty Lou were always very gracious to us and made us feel like part of their family. As often happens, time and distance has unfortunately drawn us apart, but that has not changed our great fondness and memories for both of them. On the court Scotty was the ultimate old school, tough, hard nosed coach with a caring touch for his players, not always an easy thing to accomplish. He wanted his players to do the right things and succeed on the court, but most importantly to succeed in life as well. They respected him for that. One of the my most vivid memories of Scotty came during summer league 1994 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was one of the most tragic days in his life, the sudden passing of of his prized ex player, Tommy Joe Eagles at one of our practices. Scotty showed tremendous friendship, compassion and leadership during this time, digging deep through his sadness to console Tommy's players Wes Person,Aaron Swinson and family. I sat in a hotel room watching a saddened Scotty beam with pride about Tommy Joe and at the same time use his strength to take over an impossible situation and be sure everything was handled and taken care of for Tommy's family. It was a time of great sadness and great lessons, a time we shared and a time, no matter how heart breaking, I will never forget. As the obituary states, this is a time to celebrate! Man, did Scotty love his Mustangs! How could I forget the many times I hitched a ride in one of Scotty's beloved Mustang convertibles that was in various stages of refinishing. It seemed like he had a different one every time he picked me up. Or the times I had to run him to Sanderson Ford here in Phoenix so he could take his cars in or pick them up. Or the times we had to stop at some off beat location to check out a Mustang for sale. His red faced beam and his gruff southern drawl when he talked about his Mustangs didn't quite match the pride and excitement he had for his family, but it was close. Although we will not be able to be there for the celebration of Scotty's life you can be sure we will be there in spirit. Our thoughts are with Betty Lou and the rest of his loving family. Scotty will be missed by many!

My condolences to Betty Lou and family. We lost a great man. My prayers are with your family. Gary R Fitzsimmons

Libby, Mrs. Robertson, and family, Larry and I were so sorry to hear about Coach Robertson. We are sending our best to you.

Oh my goodness---such a great guy! We will surely miss him and wanted you to know we have you in our thoughts and prayers. Scotty was always so full of life and jovial. A treasure has gone to heaven. Sincerely, Bill and Lynn

What a role-model and FRIEND! He had a knack for assessing talent and no talent on the hardwood. When I was 16, and although one of the tallest sophomores at Byrd, he very gentlemanly suggested that I find a sport OTHER than basketball. I was devastated. Sharing his office was legendary track coach, Woodrow Turner, who overheard the advice and invited me into his program. 2 years later, Scotty was part of the "FAMILY" of Tech coaches trying to lure me to Tech, on behalf of Track coach Jim Mize. As it turned out, that frank meeting pointed me toward a career in track & field, a resulting free education although at USL and later, a career in pharmaceuticals AND to the spot where I would meet the love of my life. I am grateful to Scotty for his frankness and friendship. He told me to give back to the sport I loved and at age 64, I am still trying. His smile will be remembered by those he touched - those like me who didn't have the privilege of playing for him. May he rest in peace.

It was always a pleasure when Scotty called me at the Mavericks office to request tickets for his family and friends, when his teams were playing in Dallas. I had great respect for him as a friend, coach, and a real gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I didnt know Coach Robertson, but I remember vividly watching him coach at LA Tech when I was there. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I just heard the news of Scotty's death on the Sports News here in New Orleans. I have such fond memories of him and the relationship he had with the Worley family. I know he will be greatly missed by all.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.