Jimmie, the son of Bruce M. and Marie H. Robbins, was born in Tampa in 1931. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Mary Baker, as well as brothers, Bruce, Joseph and Jerome Robbins, and sister, Martha Hall.
Jimmie is survived by sons, R. James Robbins, Jr., (Lindsey) and William L. Robbins, daughter, Anne Robbins Butler (Chris), six grandsons, Jimmy, Charles, John, George, Bruce and William, and many nieces and nephews.
Jimmie attended the Academy of the Holy Names, Wilson Junior High, and H.B. Plant High, and was an honors graduate of the University of Florida School of Architecture. While at Florida, he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and leader of his Army R.O.T.C. unit. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and spent two years on active duty at Ft. Eustis, Virginia.
Following his Army service, Jimmie began his long and distinguished career as an architect in Tampa and continued in the practice with his own firm for over 40 years. Jimmie designed buildings of all types, although he developed a unique specialty for design of high technology computer and communication centers and hospitals. Many of his buildings are still in active use today, some over 60 years old, and many Tampa families continue to enjoy a number of fine homes he designed over his long career.
Jimmie was a past president of Downtown Rotary and the University Club, a Trustee Emeritus of the University of Tampa, and long- time member of Tampa Yacht and Country Club and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. He was a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and was actively involved in the major restoration of the church in the 1990’s.
Jimmie’s funeral mass will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Monday, April 12, at 10am. The family will receive friends at the church 1 hour before the service. A private family burial will take place immediately following the service at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1524 Tampa, FL 33601-1524, or Meals on Wheels of Tampa, 550 West Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33603.
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