Duncan Sadat Robertson

Duncan Robertson was born November 12, 1982 in Seattle, Washington and died in Los Angeles, California on November 18, 2015. He learned to walk in Memphis, Tennessee. He learned to play with others in Toronto, Canada. He started school in Los Angeles.

In 1988, his family resettled in Seattle where he attended public schools. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2001. In both elementary and high school, he was recognized for his outstanding qualities of empathy, acceptance and compassion for others. At fifteen, he traveled to Vietnam with the Peace Trees organization, developing a love for travel and broadening his ability to engage with people without fear or prejudice. He gave away the proceeds of his first paycheck to the homeless.

Willamette University in Salem, Oregon was his home for four years. There he played ultimate frisbee, wrote film criticism for the student newspaper, worked at the campus coffee house, co-produced an arts festival, and made life-long friendships. He spent a semester in Paris where he fell in love with the culture and people while living the bohemian student life. He graduated in 2005 with a degree in English and a Film Studies emphasis.

Duncan came with a crowd. Whether family or friends, he thrived when surrounded by people. He was known as a problem-solver for others and possessed an emotional intelligence beyond his years. He was a great hugger.

His early adult years were a struggle as he found his place in the world. He worked for a travel agency and volunteered for film projects. He and some friends produced the film Lit Up, which he described as a tribute to his beloved Portland, Oregon.

In 2010, he moved to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry. Step by step, he made his way up the competitive ladder, finding a niche in reality television shows. He achieved his career goals and accrued producer credits in several shows, capped by the VICE Munchies Guide to Washington and Oregon, a series highlighting his home turf. He was respected by his fellow crew members. He looked forward to finding the narrow path that would allow him to return to the Pacific Northwest and continue his work.

He is survived by his wife, Erica, his mother, Sharon, his dads, Bruce and John, his sister, Miko and her family, his maternal grandmother, Bernice, and scores of aunts, uncles and cousins whose gatherings will never be the same. Bertie and Bowie will miss him, too.

Memorial services will be held in Los Angeles on January 7, Portland January 30, and Decatur Island, Washington April 16. Times and locations will be added as they become available.

Those wishing to commemorate Duncan's life are asked to contribute to the support of the Film Studies program at Willamette University through:

Duncan S. Robertson Memorial Fund
Development Office
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
USA