Joel Edward Robb

Born on June 1st, 1951 in Honolulu, this Haole from Hawaii was surprised but at peace with passing away in his adopted home of Cleveland, OH on April 17th, 2025. Joel was preceded in death by his father Richard (Dick) Edward Robb and his mother Margaret (Peg) Aylette Poole, as well as his twin brother Jonathan.

Joel with a f*#$-ing L was a proud graduate of Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Class of 1970. The importance of education was instilled in him by his grandmother Tutu as well as his parents. In fact, Joel had so much fun in school, it took him an extra year to finish.

Joel migrated to the mainland upon graduating. He bounced around California and received an associate’s degree in forestry from Sierra College. He knew that he wanted to spend his career outdoors and was fortunate to spend the entirety of his working days (36 years) at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a surveyor and road access specialist. The job at BLM brought him to Coos Bay, Oregon and subsequently to his favorite place on earth, Hyland Lane. He lived on Hyland Lane and stewarded the Hill for close to 45 years.

It was in Coos Bay where he met some of his closest friends. Joel was a minimalist before it was cool. At times, this was out of necessity and at other times, it was a preference. While he wanted for very little, the relationships he formed throughout his life were his most cherished possession. While BLM was his career, Joel’s life’s work was homesteading on Hyland Lane with Karen, their two sons, numerous friends including Michael, Uncle Dave, and Madeleine, as well as a menagerie of different animals over the years. Joel loved everything about trees–planting, growing, and at times, harvesting them. This was most evident at his beloved Hall Creek property in Coos County.

Joel had many nicknames (most not appropriate for print) but was affectionately known as Porridge for the last 15 years.

Joel is survived by six siblings who he loved and respected deeply. Heather (Terry) of Whidbey Island, WA, Megan (Jon) of Walnut Creek, CA, Peter (Patty) of Medford, OR, Rick (Dianna) of Kansas City, KS, Toper (Ginny) of Central Point, OR, and Mollie (Bill) of Kamuela, HI. As well as a legion of nieces and nephews who he loved seeing and following their unique journeys over the years. Even though the Robb clan was spread out, the reunions when everyone was able to get together were things of legend.

Porridge is also survived by his wife Karen of 44 years, son Isaac (Annie) and granddaughter Delia (age 1.5) of Cleveland, OH, and son Samuel (Caitlyn) and grandson Lewis (age 1) of Portland, OR. While Joel hated the winter and drivers of Cleveland, he loved living three doors down from his son and granddaughter.

While Joel didn’t have a lot of traditional hobbies, “Why pay for a gym membership when you can work outside for free?”, he had a competitive streak that came out while playing Hearts, Pinochle, Euchre, Sorry, Guillotine, and Croquet. He grew up loving to surf the waves of Hawaii and was fortunate enough in later years to take his family to his family home in the Manoa Valley, as well as some of his favorite childhood beaches. He had a love for music, concerts, and vinyl–and shared many fond memories of taking his sons to see some of his favorite artists. He also possessed a deep curiosity for how things worked and visiting new places, especially by train.

Joel loved all of his friends–ranging from childhood friends, survey crews, extended family, friends on the Hill, and his new neighbors in Cleveland. He loved helping others, especially with house projects. In fact, he and Isaac spent their last weekend together painting on W. 32nd Street where Isaac had been keeping him busy over the past 10 years. In lieu of flowers, please raise a glass of your favorite whiskey and tell a joke with someone who knows how to laugh.