Robertson, John David

John David Robertson, 55, died Friday, April 12, 2013, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from a pulmonary embolism. A memorial service celebrating John's life will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Old Brick in Iowa City (corner of Clinton and Market streets), led by the Rev. ShokenWinecoff, Abbott of Ryumonji Zen Monastery. A reception will follow. All are invited to bring a poem or photograph to share with John's son, David.

John was born May 5, 1957, the son of Nora “Nan” (McClure) and David H. Robertson. He graduated from high school in Jefferson City, Mo., and received a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 1978. After college, he was a social worker and family therapist in the Kansas City, Mo., area for 12 years. Returning to school in 1990, he graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1993, earning both a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Arts degree in philosophy.

John spent his career defending the legal rights of others. He was in private practice in Iowa City and, in 1999, he became an attorney at the Linn County Advocate. In 2001, he began work as an assistant public defender, first in Muscatine and then from 2003 until the present at the Johnson County Public Defender's Office in Iowa City. His career also included a year as associate director of the National Maternal and Child Resource Center at the University of Iowa College of Law, and several years teaching philosophy and criminal justice at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.

John's many civic activities included serving as a board member of the Episcopal Chaplaincy at the University of Iowa and the Old Brick Episcopal Lutheran Corporation. He was a candidate for the Iowa City Council in 2001 and a member of the Johnson County Jail Space and Services Task Force in 2002.

John practiced Zen Buddhism for the past 10 years. He was lay ordained in 2005 at Ryumonji Zen Monastery near Decorah. He received the Dharma name “Taiyu,” which means Serene Way/Heart. It is both something that John had and to which he aspired. He was a member of Ryumonji Zen Monastery and the Iowa City Zen Center.

John published several books of poetry and photography. His varied interests included riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, discussing politics, traveling (especially to Jamaica) and playing guitar. He was a loyal friend to many in the AA recovering community.

He is survived by his son, David Easley Robertson; former wife, Julia Easley; and special love, Tammy Barton, all of Iowa City; his mother, Nan of Jefferson City; two sisters, Carol Robertson of Jefferson City and Elizabeth (Terry) Woodfield of Irvine, Calif.; nieces and nephews, Andre, Sarah, Katherine, Elizabeth, Peter, Katherine, Matthew and Nicholas; mother-in-law, Barbara Easley, and sister-in-law, Lisa Easley D'Aunno, both of Iowa City; brother-in-law, John Easley (Alison Lemke) of Newton, Iowa; and his cat, Enzo, and dog, Rex.

He was preceded in death by his father, David.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

A memorial page also has been created on Taiyu John Robertson's Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to the Iowa City Zen Center or Ryumonji Zen Monastery.

Published April 18, 2013 in The Gazette