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
Army Sgt. Nicholas Robertson was a translator and Airborne Ranger in the military, but his time spent at the University of Maine until his graduation in 2003 leaves him remembered for more than parachuting from airplanes.
Robertson, 27, of Holden, was wounded on April 2 while conducting a combat mission in Afghanistan during his second tour of duty. He died the following day in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany of his injuries, according to Lt. Col. Tim Nye from the public affairs office at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Robertson's funeral was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday, April 11, with approximately 100 people in attendance. While current students did not know him, Robertson left his mark on the university, as evidenced by the faculty and staff who remember his undergraduate years.
"Nick Robertson was an exceptional student and an outstanding member of the University of Maine community," UMaine President Robert Kennedy said. "His tragic death is felt by many in UMaine's close-knit community, and I extend my sympathies to his friends and family during this difficult time."
Robertson was a philosophy major in college, and one of the professors he worked closely with was Michael Howard. Along with being his student, Robertson worked as a tutor for Howard's PHI 250 class, Formal Logic, and worked as a research assistant on one of Howard's books.
"He was one of the best students ever to go through our department," Howard said. "Whatever he took a serious interest in, he devoted himself to with great energy and skill. [The] many commendations he received while in the Army suggest that it was true of his soldiering. I know it to be true of his work in philosophy, which was not only serious, original and on a level of competence more characteristic of a graduate student rather than an undergraduate, but also unusually wide-ranging."
Outside of philosophy, Robertson had an interest in linguistics. His minor was in French, and he also studied Greek and German. He not only excelled in his work but also strived to help others learn.
Robertson, 27, of Holden, was wounded on April 2 while conducting a combat mission in Afghanistan during his second tour of duty. He died the following day in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany of his injuries, according to Lt. Col. Tim Nye from the public affairs office at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Robertson's funeral was held at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday, April 11, with approximately 100 people in attendance. While current students did not know him, Robertson left his mark on the university, as evidenced by the faculty and staff who remember his undergraduate years.
"Nick Robertson was an exceptional student and an outstanding member of the University of Maine community," UMaine President Robert Kennedy said. "His tragic death is felt by many in UMaine's close-knit community, and I extend my sympathies to his friends and family during this difficult time."
Robertson was a philosophy major in college, and one of the professors he worked closely with was Michael Howard. Along with being his student, Robertson worked as a tutor for Howard's PHI 250 class, Formal Logic, and worked as a research assistant on one of Howard's books.
"He was one of the best students ever to go through our department," Howard said. "Whatever he took a serious interest in, he devoted himself to with great energy and skill. [The] many commendations he received while in the Army suggest that it was true of his soldiering. I know it to be true of his work in philosophy, which was not only serious, original and on a level of competence more characteristic of a graduate student rather than an undergraduate, but also unusually wide-ranging."
Outside of philosophy, Robertson had an interest in linguistics. His minor was in French, and he also studied Greek and German. He not only excelled in his work but also strived to help others learn.
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