Richard Dale Robertson

Richard Dale Robertson, of Malakoff, Texas, went to be with Jesus on September 16, 2026. Born November 18, 1963, in Mesquite, Texas, to Ralph Robertson and Raye Deane Barker, Richard lived a life full of family, hard work, and curiosity for whatever came next. For 33 years, Richard and Tracy Robertson shared a love deeply rooted in the life they built together. Richard was Tracy’s sunshine. Their love was steady, genuine, and easy to see. Richard was always finding something new to work on, build, or get himself into, while Tracy was his home and constant. He could keep calm and bring peace when it was needed most. Tracy was not just his wife—she was his best friend, partner through life, and the person he loved coming home to. Richard was the proud father of Casey Robertson and carried tremendous pride in his service to our country. Richard’s family grew when he became a stepfather to Amanda Smith and Heather Zimmerman, but after 33 years, the word “step” never told the whole story. He was a steady presence through their childhoods, adulthood, and milestones, loving them as family in ways that went far beyond the title of stepfather. He is survived by his wife, Tracy; son, Casey; daughters, Amanda and husband Cody Smith, and Heather and her significant other, Chris Ruiz. Richard was a proud grandfather to MaKynzii Driggers, Gabriel Ruiz, Rhylen Robertson, Blaine Smith, Tristen “T” Ruiz, and Jericho Robertson, who brought a special joy to his life. He also leaves behind his beloved bonus children, Amber Helm, Eric Reese, and Amber Robinson. And then there was Oree—the family dog and, as Tracy would say, “the child only a father could love.” Richard was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Robertson; bonus mother, Virginia Robertson Polk; grandson, Jericho Robertson; and brother, Rusty Robertson. He is survived by siblings Tonya Dollison, Tracie Robertson, and Ralph Robertson, along with many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Richard was never one to sit still. He rode bareback horses from 1979 through 1981, including a year on the Seagoville High School rodeo team. A master welder, Richard spent more than 30 years in the crane industry. He began with Anchor Crane, where Roy Goodman took him under his wing and taught him the trade, and later worked with Kona Crane and Bay Area Crane. Richard loved the deer lease he shared with his good friend Eddie Raibourn, where he hunted, told stories, and made memories with family and friends. Richard was always working on something—leatherwork, a chopper, camper, drift trike, rat rod, Dog On Collars, Dog On Hot Dogs, motorcycles, or racing his 18R Club18Racing pit bike. If something caught his interest, he figured it out. That was Richard. He worked hard, loved his family fiercely, and never ran out of ideas. His hands built many things, but the greatest was a life filled with people who loved him. Richard will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.