Edwin Huse Robinson

“Win” Robinson, 91, lifelong fisherman and resident of Concord, NH died February 7, 2018 at The CRVNA Hospice House from complications of pneumonia.

He was the son of Edward and Lena (Knowlton) Robinson and twin brother of Edward P. who died in 2009. They were the first set of twins born at The Margaret Pillsbury General Hospital in 1926.

Win graduated from Concord High School and enlisted for his first military tour in the US Army during World War 2. He returned to attend the University of New Hampshire, completing a degree in fisheries biology in 1951. While in college, Win married Mary Beth Crouch of Lancaster, NH, his college sweetheart.

He became an officer in the US Air Force through the ROTC program during the Korean Conflict, his second tour of duty. He declined an offer to join the newly established space program in order to pursue a postgraduate degree in conservation at the University of Michigan completed in 1955. While awaiting his acceptance to Michigan, he took a temporary job at a three-person office in Washington DC for a fledgling organization called The Nature Conservancy.

Win spent his professional career as a biologist doing field work for the US Fish and Wildlife Service based in Concord. One of his early projects, the Hopkinton-Everett flood control dam was the first project where federal and state officials coordinated efforts to provide the public with recreational opportunities. He also contributed to many other projects throughout New England and New York.

Win’s interest in preserving land for public use during NH’s land development boom was the inspiration for what became 25 years as a volunteer for the Concord Conservation Commission. The late Marjorie Swope, then chair of the commission, would say that Win “never saw a piece of land he didn’t like.” He walked the lines of many properties throughout the city with an eye toward preserving special pieces from development. Following guidelines in the city’s Conservation Open Space Plan, Win and many other trailblazing volunteers created a trail network on both established and new properties for public enjoyment. On the Oak Hill trail network, “Win’s Way” is a salute to his efforts.

Following nomination by the city, the Commissioner of the NH Department of Environmental Services appointed Win to the Upper Merrimack River Local Advisory Committee in 1995. Because of his interest in water quality issues, he and volunteers of all ages collected water samples including macroinvertebrates each summer and analyzed them each winter during “bug nights” to monitor the river’s health.

Win also volunteered for 40 years at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, promoting their mission of public education, support for the current use assessment program to preserve open space and land conservation. The Forest Society recognized Win with their volunteer of the year award in 1983 citing his outstanding trail work, his work on the conservation center and consultancy on the Pontook Hydroelectric Dam project in the town of Dummer. The State of New Hampshire followed suit in 2004 awarding him their Spirit of NH award. Win shared his knowledge of trail building, natural history, entomology and community affairs with his many friends and the younger generation, a gift that keeps on giving.

Win is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Mary Beth, his son Corey and his wife Lee Jones, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother “Ward” and sisters Jean and Doris (Prowse).

Calling hours will be on March 7, 2018 from 4 to 7 pm at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street, Concord. Online condolences may be submitted at bennettfuneral.com.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Forest Society on April 14, 2018 at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Win’s memory to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth St, Concord, NH 03301.