Robert L. Robinson
September 29, 2012
Robert L. Robinson died Saturday, September 29, 2012, at his home at Scottish Rite Park.
He was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1934, the son of Myrle C. Robinson and Margaret K. Hansen Robinson. He was married to Sharon Refshauge in 1955, and they had three daughters: Ann Monick of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Meg Sullivan of Elmhurst, Illinois, and Kate Takahashi of San Diego, California. There are six grandchildren: Charles Bent and Sam Bent of Glen Ellyn; Patrick Sullivan and Bobby Sullivan of Elmhurst, and Grace Takahashi and Henry Takahashi of San Diego.
At age 19, Rob began a career at what was then Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he worked as a janitor to fund his education at Iowa State Teachers' College, (University of Northern Iowa). He was an active member of the Communication Workers of America. As his family grew, he progressed through several jobs with Bell, and then received his BA degree in 1966. He and his family moved to Des Moines in 1969, where he accepted a position in the company’s public relations department.
He remained a lifelong student of history, and in 1989 returned to UNI where he obtained a Master’s degree. He retired shortly thereafter, and was an adjunct professor of history for Simpson and DMACC Colleges, fulfilling a long-held desire to teach.
Rob and Sharon enjoyed auto trips in the U.S. and Canada, and they celebrated their 40th anniversary in Denmark. Jazz music was a joy to him. He was a liberal Democrat whose opinions were often expressed in letters to the editor. He loved to play golf and bridge with friends and remained a reader all of his life.
In addition to his immediate family, Rob's sister Mary Lou Becker of Minnetonka, MN, survives.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2012, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5720 Urbandale Avenue. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls.
People who wish may direct memorial contributions to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation history scholarship fund.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Joe and Lynn O'Hern
10/11/2012
Sharon,
Joe and I have been out of town and just learned of Rob's passing.
We have so many wonderful memories of our times with you and Rob.Rob's intelligence and wit were unsurpassed. He will be missed.
Janet Baxter Weiler
10/06/2012
Sharon,
What friendship is all about.
Liane always mentions the coming or going to be with you and Rob. How many years? Nearly forever. Suspect Rob and Bud are peering over the clouds grateful you gals are getting along and caring for one another.
Rejoice in the memories...there must be zillions. Love, Jan
Lyle and Darlene Refshauge
10/04/2012
Our most sincere expressions of sympathy to the family of Rob.
May you find peace in knowing that he was a devoted husband and father.
Darlene and Lyle Refshauge
Dike, Iowa
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Jackie and Phil Schaab
10/03/2012
Robbie, I shall miss you and your constant "niceness". I don't believe you ever said a nasty word in all the 60+ years I've known you! You always had a ready laugh and I loved your stories - even those I'd heard before. :-) All our love goes out to you and your entire family, who will remember you daily.
Jean and Bob Gleason
10/03/2012
You are in our thoughts and Prayers.......
Don & Sally Hartley
10/02/2012
Our deepest sympathy to you Sharon, and your family.
Penelope Holtz (and Tom)
10/02/2012
We will miss you, Rob. You and Sharon seemed like a part of our family and certainly very good friends. We loved having you as neighbors and missed you already, when you moved to Scottish Rites, but we're glad that you did move for the benefits they have when you became so ill. It enabled Sharon to be by your side, right up to your last breath...your best friend, your best love. You both took the best care of one another always. We will never forget what a dapper/sharp dresser you were, dressing in a neat golf shirt and pressed khakis or jeans...just to walk to the mail box down the street...and many times in the winter evenings we would see you in your "smoking jacket and velvet slippers"...but "no ascot"; ha! You were of unique character and treated your wife like a Queen, as she treated you as well, like a King. You were good role models for us in that way and we still seek to be more like you, with each other.
We will miss your stories about the early days at NW Bell, politics and the books you were reading.
You really enjoyed your children and grandchildren's visits and going to Calif. for months in the winter to be close to some of them. I know you were an excellent Father, as they all love you so much.
Yes, you will be missed, even though we are glad that you didn't have to suffer any longer with an uncomfortable illness.
We know that Sharon will miss you more and more as the days go on so, stay by her side in spirit and comfort her as you always have.
Goodbye Rob! Dance in the sunshine among the clouds!