Robert D. Robinson Jr.

After a long and fulfilling life, Robert D. Robinson, Jr., 94, died peacefully at home on December 18, 2025, with his beloved wife Cynny by his side and boisterous family all around. Bob (also affectionately known as Bobby or Robby) was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, doctor, teacher, poet, musician, IU sports fan, and humanitarian.

Bob was born on March 29, 1931, to Robert D. and Blanche (Saxe) Robinson in Indianapolis, Indiana. After eight years with his close-knit class of eight boys at Orchard School, Bob moved on to Shortridge High School where he focused on his studies, football, and the love of his life, Cynny Pittenger. He was a proud member of the class of ’53 at Dartmouth College. After his junior year, one course shy of completing the graduation requirements, Bob left to marry Cynny and begin medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Bob and Cynny started their life together in a plumbing-free trailer in Bloomington with their beloved cat Bibbert. After med school, Bob interned at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital and completed his residency and cardiology fellowship at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis.

Bob and Cynny then packed up their four children and traveled halfway around the world to Japan, where he served for three years in the Air Force as Chief of Medicine at Itazuke Air Force base. It was the first of many international adventures for Bob and his family. After a brief return to Indiana, Bob spent a year and a half practicing and teaching medicine in Karachi, Pakistan, where their fifth child was born. And his medical service trips through the years took him and Cynny to Nicaragua, Grenada, Thailand, Guatemala City, and Vietnam.

Stateside, Bob had an academic appointment with Indiana University Medical Center for most of his career. Upon his return from Pakistan, he taught medical students and practiced medicine at Bloomington Hospital, where he served as Director of Medical Education for a decade, and Chief of Medicine for five years. In 1976, Bob came home to Indianapolis, accepting a position at St. Vincent Hospital as Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Director of Medical Education. He taught residents the art and science of medicine, cared for his patients, and moved about like a roadrunner until he retired in 2006. He paired his teaching and patient care with public service, including years of service to what is now the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis.

Bob was genuinely humble and would have been mortified by a listing of his many professional honors, including the Otis R. Bowen Physician Community Service Award from the Indianapolis Medical Society, numerous teaching awards from medical students and residents, the American College of Physicians Indiana Chapter Laureate Award, and the St. Vincent Hospital Distinguished Physician Award.

Bob was devoted to his sprawling family. When his kids were young, he led family singalongs with his trusty guitar; he relished his kids’ sporting events and performances; and he wrote individualized songs for his beloved grandkids who were the center of his universe in his later years. He was quick with a smile, and the first to make a joke at his own expense.

Bob loved people. All people. And he was beloved by all. With genuine interest, he interviewed colleagues, restaurant servers, medical students, his children’s friends, cab drivers, and any new acquaintances about the details of their lives and their hopes for the future. And he quickly deflected any effort to focus the conversation on himself. To talk to Bobby was to feel like the most important person in the world.

Bob was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Janice (Robinson) Thompson, Jeanne (Robinson) McFall, and Doug Robinson. He is survived by his wife, best friend, and life companion Cynthia (Cynny) Pittenger Robinson; their five children Robert D. Robinson III, Barbara Robinson Kimyon (Sabah Kimyon), Theodore S. Robinson (Lynn), Scott F. Robinson and Beth Robinson (Kym Boyman); their eleven grandchildren Elizabeth Robinson (Cal Thompson), Sarah Robinson, Hannah Kimyon, Becca Kimyon (Brad Fredrickson), Dawson Kimyon, Alia Robinson, Ioni Robinson, Kian Robinson, Robert Robinson, Sam Robinson, and Max Robinson; and countless nieces and nephews and their families.

The family will honor Bob’s impactful life at a private celebration.