Robert Nicholas Robinson

On December 31, 2014, Robert Nicholas Robinson went home to be with his Lord. He was born March 25, 1925 in Warrenton, NC the sixth of twelve children whose parents were George Cleo and Annie Green-Robinson. He had fond memories of enjoying the fruits and nuts from the trees that grew on his grandfather’s farm. At the age of 14, he was baptized at the Baltimore Baptist Church in Warrenton.

After attending John R. Hawkins High School he relocated to Rocky Mount, NC where he enrolled in Trade School. In later years he attended Pace College/University in New York City.

In 1943, he volunteered for the U.S. Army. He was assigned as a technician to the 494th Port Battalion, and deployed during World War II to the European theater where he participated in the Normandy invasion in France. Only upon coaxing would he relate the story of wading through blood stained waters from the landing ship. Reaching the beach as bullets were flying, he sat under a tree where suddenly a German soldier fell into his lap from the tree mortally wounded. During his tour of duty he traveled to Le Havre, France, England and Belgium. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1946. Subsequently he settled in Mt. Vernon, NY where he resided with one of his sisters. He was employed at Parker-Kalon Corporation, a government-contracting firm in New York.

In 1951, he attended a fraternity party with some friends in New York City where he met his wife-to-be, Earleen. They were engaged in December 1952 and married in June 1953. To this union, one son Rory was born.

Settling in Jersey City, NJ, he started a career with the U.S. Postal Service from which he retired in 1988 as a Postal Supervisor. In 1990, when his wife retired as a school administrator, they moved to Williamsburg, VA.

Throughout his life he has been an ardent sports enthusiast (baseball, basketball, boxing and football). He managed a Little League team, attended many Track and Field events including the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. His affinity for politics led to his serving as Campaign Chairman for a Jersey City Councilman. He is a life member of the NAACP serving the communities in New Jersey and Virginia. He has served as a Trustee in Salem Baptist Church, Jersey City, NJ and First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.

Through the years both he and Earleen have enjoyed 60 years together, traveling to places near and far (Asia, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean & across the United States), providing them a “full life experience”. Bob, as he is known, received great joy from gatherings with family and friends, recalling fond memories and talking of God’s many blessings.

He was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, B. Earleen, son Rory of Arlington VA, brother Eddie Robinson (Minnie) of Williamsburg and five sisters Panthair Reavis and Edith Rawson of North Carolina, Willie Spruill and Anne (Richard) Wilkins of New York and Lestine (Everett) Anderson of Virginia, sister-in-law Evelyn Robinson of New York and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to the caring staff of Colonial Manor and Dominion Village of Williamsburg.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 9 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg. The family will also receive friends at 11 AM followed by a memorial service at 12 noon at First Baptist Church 727 Scotland Street Williamsburg on Saturday January 10, 2015.

A private burial will be held in Kensico Cemetery in New York at a later date.

Donations can be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg.