Benjamin Allen Robertson, 97, of Johns Island, South Carolina, husband of Barbara Saffle Robertson, entered into eternal rest Sunday, June 7, 2026. The family will receive friends Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway. There will be a private graveside service. A Celebration of Life will be held July 18, 2026. Details to be announced.

Ben was born April 5, 1929, in Rusk County, Texas, the son of the late John Arnold Robertson and Wilma Johnson. From an early age, he was captivated by airplanes, building model aircraft when he was just 10 years old-a lifelong passion that would shape so much of his journey. At only 16, he joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to Keesler Field in Mississippi, where he attended aircraft and engine mechanic school. He later trained as an A-26 specialist and was assigned to the 47th Bomb Wing in El Paso, Texas. Encouraged by his Master Sergeant to earn his GED, Ben did just that, and soon rose from assistant crew chief to crew chief, serving in the Aleutian Islands. After rejoining the 47th Bomb Wing, he was sent to Korea during the Korean War, where he again served as a crew chief on A-26s. When he returned stateside in 1953, he attended Flight Engineer School for C-124s and went on to log 9,000 hours servicing them. Many of those hours were with the remarkable 17th ATS/MATS at Charleston AFB. His service carried him around the world, including cargo flights to Vietnam, but among his most unforgettable memories was a trip to McMurdo Sound NAS in Antarctica, along with an unexpected diversion to two islands in the South Pacific.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1967, Ben made Charleston, South Carolina, his home and began a new chapter by starting his own boat business, Dorchester Marine, where he sold Wellcraft boats powered by Mercury. For the next 35 years, boating, powerboat racing, and flying were not just pursuits-they were the things that brought him joy and kept his adventurous spirit alive. His love of aviation never faded. Over the years, he owned and flew several planes, including his first, a Piper Cherokee, as well as a Piper Arrow and a Beech Baron that he proudly piloted for 25 years. Barbara delighted in making his milestone birthdays unforgettable: for his 75th, she surprised him with a 1943 Boeing Stearman N2S3, and for his 80th, with a ride on an A-26 Invader as it flew into Charleston Executive Airport. These were gifts that reflected just how well she knew and loved him.

Without question, Ben’s greatest companion in life was his beloved wife, Barbara, along with his faithful golden retriever, Nabot, who was rarely far from his side from morning until night. Ben and Barbara shared many wonderful years together, especially the last 25, traveling the country in their motorcoach and making their way across the United States, Alaska, and Canada. Along the way, they created treasured memories and formed friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Ben was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion, Quiet Birdmen and the Lowcountry Model A Club.

Above all, Ben deeply loved his family and friends. He was a man of steady character, quiet strength, and generous heart-someone people could always count on for help, encouragement, or simply companionship. His presence brought comfort to those around him, and he will be remembered with great love and missed beyond measure.

In addition to his wife Barbara of 48 years, survivors include his son Ben Robertson, Jr and daughter, Barbara Hunter (Joe); 3 grandsons, Paul (Tony) Tuttle (Tiffany), Ben Robertson III (Colleen) and Kyle Robertson; 3 great grandchildren, Jasmine Robertson, Addyson Tuttle and Layne Tuttle; nephew, John Robertson III and niece, Elizabeth (Betty) Pollard Newman (Mike) and cousin Ben Linthicum (Kaky).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved son Stephen Lynn Robertson, his sister Margaret Sue Pollard, his brother John Arnold Robertson, Jr. and his cousin Oscar Still and numerous aunts and uncles.

Memorials may be made to Pet Helpers, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel. 

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