Robert D. Robinson

ROBERT D. ROBINSON, 84, passed into eternal paradise on Thursday, March 10, surrounded by his loving family, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, soon after being diagnosed with cancer. The first of six sons born to Wilbur and Anita (McGinnis) Robinson, his story began on April 13, 1931, in East Moline, Illinois. A graduate of the “49ers” Class of 1949 of United Township High School in East Moline, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, in which he served until 1953. While doing basic training in San Diego, he proposed to his girlfriend, Shirley DeGraeve, still living in East Moline. She traveled to San Diego and they were married. It was a union that would produce seven children and last until her death in November of 1974, at the age of 43. Upon completing his stint in the Marines, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he and Shirley moved back to East Moline, where Robert became employed as an optical technician at Moody Optical. He ultimately left the optical business to take a coveted job with John Deere. In April of 1967, tiring of the Midwest winters and yearning for a better life for themselves and their family, Robert and Shirley made the bold decision to pack up their belongings and move to South Florida. It wasn’t long before relatives, after visiting, followed suit. The Robinson family loved their life in the Sunshine State, and Robert found a new occupation in the automobile business, working as a Service Advisor for Ed Morse dealerships until his retirement in the late 1980’s. Not one to be idle, his retirement was short-lived once he discovered the hurricane shutter industry. He, alongside all 4 of his sons, enjoyed that business until about 2012, when he “once and for all” retired. An avid fisherman, he loved the Florida Keys, and traveled to Key Largo every weekend for years to spend time on the houseboat he had bought and refurbished. He was also a rabid Florida Marlins fan and talked excitedly about Opening Day 2016 until the day he died. Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley, parents Wilbur and Anita, brothers Thomas, David, Bill and Ronnie, grandsons PJ and Travis, and great-granddaughter Jillian. Left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are his seven children, Donald (Kathy), Susan (Jerry), Jeannie, Michael, Linda (Tony), Timothy (Patricia) and James (Sharon), 22 Grandchildren, 15 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Great Granddaughter, brother Dennis (Mary) and several nieces and nephews.