M. T. "Tom" Robin

M. T. (Tom) Robin passed away December 1, 2011, after an extended illness. Tom was born September 28, 1924, in Santa Anna, Texas, the only child of Jim and Maude Childers Robin. His grandparents had come to Santa Anna in the late 1880s. His grandfather worked for Santa Fe Railroad and was water superintendent, tasked with arranging a water supply for the steam engines from San Angelo in far West Texas to Galveston. Tom graduated from Santa Anna High School in 1941. During WWII, he served as radioman/gunner on a B-26 bomber, 585th Bombardment Squadron, 9th Air Force, in the European Theater of Operations. The B-26 was known as the “widowmaker” and also the “Flying Prostitute - because it had no visible means of support”. The wings were somewhat short for that size bomber. Since the B-26 was a short-range plane, they had to be based not far behind the front lines so they could fly over, bomb a target, then return to base. They lived in a castle for a time, later in a pig barn (very clean with a concrete floor), but mostly in tents. They interacted with the local people and had the local peasant women wash their clothes. The people in Belgium and France thought it extremely funny that the Americans wore “deux culote” (sp). In other words, two pair of pants - trousers and shorts -underwear. After the war, Tom was stationed at Kitzengen, Germany, holding the position of Sergeant Major in Group Headquarters in charge of Personnel.

Discharged from the Air Force in 1946, Tom enrolled in Texas Tech University. In 1948, he married Margaret Anne Bruce (Peggy), and they recently celebrated 63 years together. He graduated in 1949 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and was employed by Houston Lighting and Power for 37 years. Tom and Peggy lived in West University, enjoying their wonderful neighbors, for 10 years before building their home in the Willow Meadows subdivision. Tom became a registered professional engineer and was elected president of American Institute of Electrical Engineers and American Institute of Training and Development (local chapters). He served as president, coach, and umpire for Willow Creek Little League and as president of Willow Meadows Civic Club in addition to numerous other volunteer activities. He served on a Chamber of Commerce committee which got the Houston Fire Department to begin offering ambulance services. He was one of a committee at Rice Temple Baptist Church who organized the Westbury Baptist Church as a mission church of Rice Temple.

Tom was a Lifetime member of the Livestock Show and Rodeo, serving on the Speakers’ Committee and was named Speaker of the Year in 1995. He was an avid student of cowboy and pioneer history and presented hundreds of informative and fascinating programs to schoolchildren and civic groups. Schoolchildren called him “Cowboy Tom”. He absolutely loved doing it, and it was probably the happiest time of his life. He took great delight in working on the family ranch land in west Texas, building fence and spraying mesquite and prickly pear.

At various churches, he served as Sunday School teacher, Department director, and in other positions.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy, son Walter Robin of Houston. Daughter Joan Hunter, grandchildren Robin Hunter and Charles Hunter of Sugar Land. Sisters-in-law Evelyn Kingsberry and husband, Jack, of College Station, and Barbara Kingsbery Jones of Brownwood, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation 10:00 A.M. and service at 11:00 A.M. at Willow Meadows Baptist Church, 4300 West Bellfort, on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Interment later at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to Willow Meadows Baptist Church or a charity of one’s choice.