Veteran federal IT reporter Jack Robertson dies

Joanne Connelly is a former reporter and editor in the government IT market and is now CEO of ConnellyWorks, a full service marketing communications company. She was a colleague of Robertson's at Electronic News.

Jack Robertson, a pioneering reporter who covered the electronics industry and the federal information technology sector, died suddenly at the age of 78 on Oct. 19.

Robertson began his career with Fairchild Publications in 1957, reporting for its stable of publications including the Daily News Record and Women’s Wear Daily. He joined the staff of Electronic News shortly thereafter, first in the Dallas Bureau, and later moving to Washington, where he spent nearly 30 years covering the Pentagon, its purchases of multimillion dollar systems and important trade issues involving the semiconductor and electronics industries.

After leaving Electronic News in the late 1990s, Robertson continued reporting for various publications, including Electronic Business News, until his retirement in 2007. Known for his tenacity and appreciation for good journalism, Robertson inspired a generation of technology reporters and set the standard for reporting on the government’s purchase and use of information technology.

He leaves behind his wife, Gretchen, of Arlington, Va., and sons Kevin and Bill. Robertson was predeceased by his daughter, Laurie. A memorial service for him will be held Thursday, Oct. 28, at 2:30 pm at The Falls Church in Falls Church, Va.