Rose Ann Robertson

MACEDONIA - Rose Ann Robertson, a retired journalist and academic, died November 28, 2023, from complications of kidney cancer. She was 72.

Robertson was born May 22, 1951, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. An Air Force brat, she lived in Germany, Ohio, Texas, and Illinois. She was a 1969 graduate of Rantoul Township High School and received a BA in English from Eastern Illinois University in 1972. In 1975, she earned an MS in journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

She worked as a reporter at the Charleston Times-Courier and the Mattoon, IL Gazette. She was named state editor at the Champaign Urbana News-Gazette, where she worked to strengthen regional coverage. In 1979, she joined the Milwaukee Journal as a copy editor for the local and op-ed sections. Robertson joined the Associated Press in Chicago in 1983, later working as a national editor in New York, news editor in Nebraska, and national editor in Washington DC.

She began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Illinois, and later, news writing at Marquette University, Creighton University, and the University of Maryland. In 1993, she joined American University, where she taught news writing, editing, and media studies courses. As an administrator, she helped develop an innovative online, interactive journalism program that allowed students to work on master's degrees in a weekend format.

Robertson later served as Assistant Dean in charge of academic affairs and was promoted to Associate Dean. She retired at the end of the 2017 semester as Senior Associate Dean for academic affairs.

In retirement, Robertson moved to Macedonia, Ohio, where she spent much of her free time helping transport and rescue abandoned dogs. One of her favorite activities was giving dogs a bath. She also worked as a copy editor for the Investigative Reporting Workshop.

She is survived by her sister, Geoff Robertson. She was also blessed in her life to be part of the amazing Gebler family and leaves behind myriad friends.

There will be no services at this time, but a celebration of life will be held at a future date. More information to come.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Humane Society of Summit County . Memorium donations can be made online or mailed by check to:

Humane Society of Summit County
7996 Darrow Road, Suite #30
Twinsburg, OH 44087