Robertson, Norman

Age 96, of Longwood at Oakmont passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mavis (Strickland) Robertson.  Born August 28, 1927 in London, England,  Norman experienced the Blitz during the Battle of Britain first hand with his father lying on top of him for protection as bombs dropped on the City or sleeping under an 18" high steel cage for protection.  Later, along with other children, he was sent away, first to the country and then to the Isle of Man. After the war he attended and graduated from the London School of Economics, a unit of the University of London. On June 4, 1952 he married Mavis Jean Strickland in the City of Westminster, London and soon thereafter they moved to New York City in spite of the fact neither had a job waiting for them. They survived and Norman later held economics research and marketing positions with American Standard, Ford Motor Company and General Foods Corporation.  In 1963 Norman joined Mellon Bank as Associate Economist and the couple moved to Pittsburgh where they became naturalized citizens of the United states of America in 1964.

Norman rose quickly at Mellon to the position of Chief Economist in 1970 and was promoted to Senior Vice President and a member of its Senior Management Committee in 1973, positions he held for 20 years before retiring in 1992.  Widely respected in the economics community for his views and written commentaries he was named to the Economic Advisory Board of the United States Department of Commerce in 1971. Within the business community he was a favorite of corporate executives for his ability to explain complex economic issues and trends to them in everyday business terms. Following his retirement, he continued his work as an Economics Advisor for Smithfield Trust Company and as an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon University.

He also served as a Director of PP&L Resources, Inc. for over 30 years, and as a Trustee of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, a Trustee of Bucknell University and a Director of Mellon Bank (Maryland).

He and his wife Mavis loved to travel and did so regularly not only to the United Kingdom but also Europe, particularly France and Italy and in the US to New York City, Washington D.C. and Carmel, CA.

Norman was a member of the Duquesne Club and the Rolling Rock Club.

Burial will be in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery alongside his wife Mavis.

Arrangements entrusted to the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., Oakmont.