Remembering Michael Robertson

UPDATE: The Office of the Dean of Students will be arranging transportation for the University community wishing to attend the wake and funeral for Michael Robertson in Tenafly, New Jersey.

A vehicle will return to the GSU immediately following the funeral service, and another will leave from the Presbyterian Church and return to the GSU on Saturday, January 27 at 9 a.m.

“Always happy” is how Deana Elgeziry remembered Michael Robertson, who worked with Elgeziry at Espresso Royale on Newbury Street.

“The greatest guy in the world,” recalled Alex Nguyen (COM’09), who met Robertson last semester when they both lived at the Hyatt Regency. “He knew everybody, and he brought people together.”

About 50 friends of Robertson, who died early Sunday morning after a fall from a fourth-floor window in his South Campus residence hall, came together in the Thurman Room of Marsh Chapel last night to remember the popular 20-year-old CAS student from Demarest, N.J.  

The meeting, which was led by Director of Residence Life David Zamojski and attended by Marsh Chapel Dean Robert Hill, Crisis Intervention Counselor Maureen Mahoney, South Campus Residential Life Director Jeff Dahlander and other staff, was a moving and animated gathering, with tears, laughter, and many fond memories of Robertson, who seemed to his friends to have an uncanny ability to be everywhere at all times.  

The sharing of such memories was one of the things hoped for by Robertson’s parents, who reached out to the BU community to offer thanks and ask for prayers.

"For all of you who were Michael’s friends at school, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts," the Robertsons wrote in a letter. "He was a bright, polite, great, handsome, and extremely sensitive guy. We are in deep mourning, but we thank all of you who loved him."

Robertson was killed early Sunday morning in a fall from the window of his room at 46 Mountfort St. A transfer from the University of Richmond, he had lived in the Hyatt Regency last fall, and moved into the South Campus residence hall at the start of the spring semester. The Boston Police Department is investigating the incident.

"Our community has suffered a great loss," Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore said in a message to students. "We must reach out to each other in sympathy, solidarity, and support."

Robertson’s family sent a message to the community via Elmore’s office, asking his friends to write or call them to "share with us any Michael stories." They also announced the creation of a charitable foundation in Robertson’s name, which will be used to benefit various organizations reflecting his interests.

"He loved to read, so libraries and/or schools could be the beneficiaries," the family wrote. "He loved his guitar, so those in need of musical instruments could be the beneficiaries. Michael loved pets, so animal organizations could also be the beneficiaries … Something good can come out of something so bad."

A wake will be held on Thursday, January 25, between 4 and 8 p.m., at the Barrett Funeral Home in Tenafly, N.J. A church service will be held on Friday, January 26, at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church at 55 Magnolia Ave., also in Tenafly.

Jessica Ullian can be reached at jullian@bu.edu.