Robert R. "Robby" Robertson Sr., who coined the phrase "Ain't the beer cold" while working alongside veteran sportscaster Chuck Thompson, died of heart disease Sunday at the Maryland Masonic Home. The former Timonium resident was 88.

Born in Phillippi, W.Va., he moved to Baltimore in 1946. With his wife, the former Helen Horstsneider, he owned Robert's Cafe on McElderry Street in East Baltimore. He later owned two Sinclair service stations, one on Sherwood Road and a second on York Road near Anneslie. He also owned Robby's Delicatessen in North Baltimore.

Mr. Robertson was a baseball and football sports spotter, watching from the press box and assisting Mr. Thompson, a longtime friend. He also traveled with the Colts from 1956 to 1974 and attended the Dec. 28, 1958, NFL Championship game at Yankee Stadium.

The phrase "Ain't the beer cold," widely used by Mr. Thompson on the air, originated with Mr. Robertson, according to Mr. Thompson, who also used the phrase as the title of his 1996 book.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Robertson owned nearly 30 racehorses, including Sir Robby, which he purchased from Keeneland Farms in Lexington, Ky.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Maryland Masonic Home Chapel, 300 International Circle in Cockeysville.

Survivors include a son, Robert R. "Rick" Robertson Jr. of Woodbridge, Va.; two sisters, Rosalie Lewis of Phillippi, W.Va., and Twila Cutler of Luray, Va.; and his partner, Nancy Richard of York, Pa. His wife died in 1986.