Benny Robertson. Benny died on January 26, 2007. This is his Freshman picture, the last school portrait available. As a Kennesaw resident, Benny transferred to and finished at North Cobb High School when it opened in 1958.
His obituary: Charles Benjamin Ben Robertson – Robertson, former Kennesaw city councilman, dies. KENNESAW –– Charles Benjamin Ben Robertson, the man who helped bring the General back to Kennesaw, died of a stroke Friday. Robertson was 63 years old. A native of Kennesaw, family members said Robertson's commitment to his hometown lead to 23 years of civic service as a member of Kennesaw's City Council. He always said if you don't vote for the people in your neighborhood and in your city ... you can't really have a say in your local government, Dayle Robertson, his wife of 15 years, said. Robertson served on the Kennesaw City Council from 1970 to 1975 and again from 1985 to 2001. Mrs. Robertson said her husband always liked the story of the Great Locomotive Chase and made getting the infamous engine back to Kennesaw one of his personal missions. An artist and always a supporter of the museum and the city's history, Robertson drew up the Freedom First logo for the city featuring the General. He was just an all–around good guy, Jeff Drobney, Recreation and Cultural Agency director of the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, said. His heart was the city. An active member of the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department, Robertson played a pivotal role in getting the new building for the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Every time I saw him, even after he was out of office, I could always count on him for a word of encouragement in support of the museum, Drobney said. Formerly known as the Kennesaw Civil War Museum, Robertson also coined the name for the new museum on Cherokee Street. There is a void, but we certainly have his legacy and examples to lean on, Drobney said. He saw tremendous value in the history of this community, A veteran of the Army Reserves, Robertson was the co-owner and operator of Harolds Pawn Shop in Kennesaw with Mrs. Robertson. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Robertson started the Optimist Club in Kennesaw and was very involved with the Jaycees on the state and local levels. Extremely friendly and personable, Mayor Leonard Church said Robertson had a way of getting to the heart of any city matter. Ben had a way of cutting through the chase and getting right to what the issue was, Church said. Before his retirement in 2001, Robertson served on the city council for two years during Church's first term as mayor. But Church said he first became friends with Robertson by attending city council meetings and work sessions. It was Robertson, he said, who taught him a lot about the workings of the city. He served so long and just did a great job. He was always passionate about the job he did for the city, Church said. The family will receive friends today from 6 to 8 pm. at Kennesaw United Methodist Church, 1801 Ben King Road. A memorial service for Robertson will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw, 30144.
[Marietta Daily Journal (GA) - Monday, January 29, 2007]
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