The sun shone brightly on the rolling fields of Warren Wilson College, illuminating the pack of riders who pedaled their way to the ash garden where they watched our young friend Callum Robertson return to the ground in his final epic ride.
Brave friends and family stepped up to the pulpit in the packed chapel Saturday afternoon, remembering Callum’s smile, his energy, his love, his creativity, the adoration for his family, and, like any good rider, his propensity to exaggerate for the sake of a good story.
It was confusing almost, that it was a funeral, rather than a wedding, as his family was in the midst of rejoicing over his choice in Caitlin Thomas as his bride. She, dressed in the brightest colors of the sun, professed her love to him at his funeral instead.
We all marveled at how closely he melded the circles of friends, leaving us all in merely two degrees of separation. More than 20 people gathered on Sunday in Brevard to ride Callum’s favorite trails, blessed by a warm and sunny day. Afterward we packed the Altamont Brewery and welcomed the parade of bikes that rode across West Asheville via Haywood Road.
I hope that his family will soon find peace in this tragedy and know that they blessed us all by raising a boy filled with beauty, which he easily bestowed on those he loved.
Swannanoa–Callum Miles Robertson, 27, passed away Friday January 6, 2012 at his home. He was born June 7, 1984 to Ian Charles and Victoria Elaine Muscott Robertson. He is also survived by his fiancée Caitlin Thomas; sister Hannah Robertson of Chesapeake, VA; Victoria Winters of Scotland, UK; brother-in-law Matthew Freel of Chesapeake, VA; grandparent, William Muscott of Carlisle, UK; uncle Keith Muscott, aunts Lyn and Elaine, and cousins, all of the UK; nephew Logan Miles Robertson Freel; and niece Corinna Rose Robertson Freel. Callum was a graduate of Asheville High School, and attended Sheldon Jackson College of Alaska, and Warren Wilson College.
Ian, Victoria and Hannah Robertson are sad to share news of the death of their beloved son and brother, Callum (6/7/84 to 1/6/12). Callum lived life to the fullest, enjoyed adventure, and travels worldwide with friends and family. He was an avid and competitive mountain biker, loving and generous friend to many, and a joy to be around. He could create and make beautiful objects from clay, wood, or metal and bicycle parts. We had rejoiced in his recent engagement to Caitlin Thomas with whom we share our grief. We do not want flowers. If you wish to remember Callum, please donate to the Warren Wilson College Mountain Bike Team or the Montessori Learning Center of Asheville, a non-profit preschool Callum loved, and support both of these programs. We take only magnificent and wonderful memories of Callum with us into the future.
Join us in a celebration of Callum’s life at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Warren Wilson Chapel, with a reception after at the Fellowship Hall. Officiating will be Steve Runholt and Jeanne Sommer. Following this, his ashes are to be placed at the Warren Wilson cemetery. We invite those who want to participate to join us on a mountain bike ride through the fields or by car to the cemetery. Time will be given to allow sharing of memories at the chapel and the cemetery. Visit our community site: Robertson and Thomas Family Support Powered by Lotsa Helping Hands.
