Dr. Robert Clio Robertson, MD

July 28, 1941 - August 18, 2026

Dr. Robert Clio Robertson, MD, was born on July 28, 1941, at KU Medical Center to Jack Bowen Robertson and Cleojeane Smith Robertson. After a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, he passed peacefully into the arms of God on August 18, 2026.

Following his parents' divorce, Clio spent several of his early years in Moline, Kansas, living with his sister and grandparents while his mother earned her degree in Medical Technology. He and his sister later moved with their mother to Independence, Kansas, where he attended school and graduated from Independence High School in 1959.

As a young man, Clio was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and receiving the Herbert A. Meyer Award for Most Outstanding Scout. After high school, he attended the University of Kansas, graduating with honors in May 1963.

Clio continued his education at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he graduated with honors in 1967 and ranked among the top 10 students in his medical school class. He completed his internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. As a Captain and general medical officer, he also became Commander of the Base Aero Club. It was there that his lifelong love of flying began. He earned his pilot's license and later owned his own airplane.

After completing his military service in 1970, Clio moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where he spent four years completing specialty training in Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he began a long and distinguished career in private orthopedic practice, continuing until his retirement on January 1, 2020.

Clio was Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery, a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His work in total joint hip replacement was published by the American Hip Society. For most of his career, he was on staff at Saint Francis Hospital, where he served on the Medical Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Orthopedic Department. He also served as President of the Tulsa County Orthopedic Society and was a founding member of Oklahoma Surgical Hospital.

From 1997 to 1999, Clio was appointed to serve on the Oklahoma State Judicial Nominating Commission.

In 1974, Clio met Linda Humphrey, and the two were married on January 30, 1977. Together they built a life centered on family, friendship, travel, and adventure, and had two sons, Chase Wellington Robertson and Adam Chadwick Robertson.

During nearly 50 years of marriage, Clio and Linda traveled extensively throughout the world. Among their favorite destinations were Italy, France, South Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the West Indies. Many spring breaks were spent with their sons on the beaches of Grand Cayman, creating memories that remained especially meaningful to the family.

Clio was an avid snow skier and could often be found each year skiing the Colorado mountains with Linda and close friends. He was also a skilled and certified deep-sea diver, enjoying dives around Grand Cayman, Mexico, and Hawaii.

Perhaps nowhere, however, brought Clio greater happiness than Grand Lake, which became a second home to the Robertson family. Clio and Linda spent more than 50 years enjoying the lake with family and friends and raising their boys around everything Grand Lake had to offer.

Much of Clio and Linda's time was also devoted to supporting their sons. They were deeply involved in Chase becoming an Eagle Scout and traveled across the country supporting Adam's athletic endeavors. Clio also treasured time with his closest friends, whether dining out, playing bridge, gin rummy, or dominoes. His frequent victories often led to good-natured accusations that he must have been cheating.

Clio genuinely loved his patients and took tremendous satisfaction in helping relieve their pain through total joint arthroplasty. Over the course of his career, many patients became close personal friends - a reflection of the care, compassion, and relationships that defined his medical practice.

He embraced life fully. As a member of Southern Hills Country Club, he enjoyed golf, tennis, and pickleball. Above all, Clio loved the Lord and was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church.

Clio was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, as well as two sons, Christopher Clio Robertson of Sammamish, Washington, and Ryan Kenneth Robertson of Seattle, Washington.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Linda; his sons, Chase W. Robertson of Tulsa and Adam C. Robertson and his wife, Allison Leuszler Robertson, of Dallas; his grandsons, William, Owen, and Colin Robertson, all of Dallas, his sister, Beth Robertson Kaparich of Missoula, Montana, and his loyal fur buddy and couch companion Remi.

Clio leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, physician, veteran, friend, and man of faith. He lived a full and meaningful life, deeply loved his family and friends, and made a lasting difference in the lives of countless patients throughout his career.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 709 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday September 11, 2026 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Clio's honor.