THYRELE ROBERTSON PH.D., NEW LIMERICK – Thyrele Robertson Ph.D., 85, died November 22, 2018. He was born December 16, 1932, in Lovell, Wyoming, the son of Isaac and Una (Jansen) Skidmore. Thyrele received a Ph.D. in economics at Iowa State University and worked in the USDA in Washington D.C. for 20 years. Thyrele had 14 years of international work in Peru and Guatemala , and TDY experiences in 16 countries. He learned Spanish and spoke well enough to teach Master level courses in Peru. He retired to Maine in 2001 and taught Math as a long term substitute teacher, was on a committee to evaluate redistricting for some of the schools and worked in a local gas station for a few years. He was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was the local Houlton Branch President for four years.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara; seven children, David (Launi) Robertson, Sean (Evonne) Robertson, Cindy (Greg) Smith, Andrew (Norma) Robertson, Lynn Bentz (Patrick Fontaine), James (Mary Kate) Robertson and Dorothy Robertson; 15 grandchildren, Courtney, Kate, Melissa, Christopher, Garrion, Arish, Killion, Taron, Raven, and Jeannie Robertson, Jessica, Ashley and Joshua Smith, and Alexandra and Charlotte Bentz – Fontaine; three great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Oliver James and Declan Smith; siblings, Belle (Doran) Piatt of Utah, Sam Skidmore of Arizona, Lou Skidmore of California; and many other half sisters and brothers. Thyrele was predeceased by his parents, first wife, Phylis Murray; sisters, Dora and May; and brother, Joe Skidmore.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 30, 2018, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Houlton, with Brother Charles Tarr officiating. Interment will be held in the spring of 2019. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home.
