Reece “Sandy” Albright Robertson died Aug. 28, 2014, at the age of 85.
He was born Dec. 26, 1928, in Wilmington, a son of Dr. James F. Robertson and Juliette A. Robertson, of Wilmington. Sandy was a lifelong resident of the Wilmington area and spent his early years at Wrightsville Beach pursuing his love for fishing, sailing and skiing. His passion for fishing with friends as a young boy followed him through life as he became a mate on charter boats, a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain at the notable age of 17 and then ran charter fishing trips from the Municipal Dock at Wrightsville Beach while attending college.
In 1947, he and two of his best friends were invited to Cyprus Gardens, Florida to ski and jump ramps for their show. Sandy gladly accepted the opportunity as his love for the water both inshore and offshore never ended. Memories of Sandy carrying his outboard motor over his shoulder while traveling from the trolley to his beach cottage are fondly recounted by his contemporaries. His expertise with watercraft of all types served him well as he won multiple sailing regattas.
After graduating from Georgia Military Academy, he attended college at the University of Virginia and later, Wilmington College. He then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1954. While in Chapel Hill, he applied with the Naval Reserve Officer Candidate program and was accepted.
Following graduation, he received his orders for active duty and continued to serve following the completion of duty in the Naval Reserves where he ultimately commanded a fleet of mine sweepers from the Naval Station of Wilmington to Pensacola, Fla. Sandy retired in 1988 as a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Retirement from the Reserves did not stop Sandy from serving. In the early morning hours in the fall of 1984, Captain Sandy and his son, Page, set out to sea to rescue four family friends whose boat had sunk several miles off of Mason’s Inlet when the U.S. Coast Guard had deemed it too dangerous to attempt a rescue. Though at great risk to him and his son’s lives, they were able to locate and rescue their friends from the stormy seas. Congressman Rose awarded Captain Sandy with a Certificate of Merit for his lifesaving and maritime skills. This encounter formally changed the rescue protocol and procedures followed by the Coast Guard.
When Sandy wasn’t performing his duties with the U.S. Navy, he worked at the International Nickel Company at Wrightsville Beach and then for J.W. Murchison Company, a Wilmington-based wholesale sporting goods and hardware business where he began as a salesman and worked his way up to president of the company. He retired after many years of loyal service.
Unable to sit idle, Sandy started his own export business and traveled the world selling North Carolina-made furniture. He finally retired from work and spent his leisure time at the YMCA swimming laps and driving to Camp Lejeune to visit wounded Marines who had returned from recent wars. He coordinated weekly visits to the base, recruited other veterans to join his efforts and organized fishing events for their benefit.
Sandy was a lifelong member of the Carolina Yacht Club, former president of the Cape Fear Country Club and former president of the YMCA. He also was a past president of TALO serving more than one term, which was a national cooperative group of hunting and fishing wholesalers originally from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma (TALO).
As a member of Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church, he and Sondra shared a special love for the Lord.
Sandy is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sondra Teer Robertson and his children and their families: Ellis and Mike Yost and Reece Albright Robertson, Jr., of Greenville, S.C.; Robert Jackson Benson III; Marcus Teer Benson; Page Albright Robertson and his wife, Sissy; and Chase Robertson Hawk and her husband, Steven, all of Wilmington. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Pressly Yost and her husband, Nathan, of Greenville, S.C., Kathleen Yost, of New York, Ann Moore Robertson, of Raleigh and Alexandra Gorham, Reece Hawk and Benjamin Benson, all of Wilmington. And lastly, he leaves behind his “extended family,” his dogs, Maggie and Truman.
Visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, Sandy would want any donations to go to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church and The Autism Society of North Carolina.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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