Robin Koberle was many things. She was a mother, a sister, a wife, a nana, an Italian cuisine and lavender connoisseur, an avid historical fiction reader, a proud democrat, a lead neuroscience nurse, but above all- a nurturer.
Robin was born into a loving family in Mill Valley California. The oldest child of 3 sisters and a brother, she was always the responsible sister- the sister that gave everyone rides growing up because she was the first to get her license. But those sisters probably know her by a more familiar title- the “cool” sister- the one who saw the Beatles and wore the stylish clothes.
When Robin went to community college she had no clue what she wanted to be when she grew up. A free-spirit, she was in the career lobby with her bestfriend when she eyed a nursing school program poster and said “Hey this sounds like fun, we should do this!”
Robin loved to tell the story of her and her friend being in chemistry class where they caused an accidental explosion. The professor set them aside and said “girls I will pass you, so long as you vow to never take a chemistry class again in your lives”
While Robin was not the best at chemistry, she did exceed every metric in her work as neuroscience nurse, even earning the ostentatious “UCSF Neuro Science Nurse of the Year” award in 2004. What helped distinguish Robin as an exceptional nurse was above all her empathetic heart and her tremendous perseverance in seeing the hard times through. She devoted her entire life to being of service to the people around her- family, patients, friends and neighbors.
Around the time as when she first got into her career at UCSF; she met her forever partner- Michael Koberle. who was persistent to take her out on a date. Little did she know that the date would shepard in over 20 years of successful marriage, two children, Caroline and Christopher Koberle, and a mountain of memories, including visiting their most favorite place in the world: the serene landscape and sandy shores of West Lake Tahoe at her families cabin.
Robin never gave up. Every single person who has met her can attest to her holding their hand through the highs and lows of life; offering the highest level of dignified care. She bore the storm in the passing of Michael in 2001, remaining committed to him through her final days. She was a life raft to her daughter Caroline in the traumatic wake of Michael, extending her home, her health, and her heart. She became a caregiver to her son Chris when he suffered a life-altering disability in his thirties, She was devoted to her first granddaughter Shaelin, being there for her every step of the way from being a girl scout troop leader to her and Girl Scout camp medic for over three years, to taking her to Europe to share the hidden and expansive knowledge she had about great wine, snails, and art.
She loved the rain and liked to always bring an umbrella with her. She loved to watch Law and Order SVU, taking her love of mysteries and expanding it to the analytical realm with the career she got after nursing- grading hospitals in surprise visits for the state of California and advocating for patient rights. She grew roses, sunflowers, basil, and tomatoes. She always put a little extra garlic and lemon on her salmon. She always carried rosebud salve and Altoids. The CDs in her car reflected a soft side and a love for the arts: Jack Johnson, the Beatles, and the Lion King live theater performance soundtrack. She didn't care for bad posture and her hands were always soft.
Robin is survived by her children, her 5 grandchildren, and her sisters. She was loved by all tremendously.
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