Dr. Hugh Payson Robinson

Falmouth, ME- Hugh (“Rob,” “Pa”) Payson Robinson of Falmouth, Maine passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025 at age 97. A true Mainer, he was dearly loved by his many family members and friends and could not imagine living anywhere else. Handsome and humble, known for his cheery smile and authentic interest in others, he had a way of making others feel special, whether just meeting or having known them for years.

Born in 1928, Hugh grew up in Portland and later moved with his four sisters to Falmouth into the house his parents built. He attended Deering High School (reportedly riding his bike or hitchhiking into Portland every day) and later graduated from Kimball Union Academy in NH. He attended Bowdoin College at the age of 16, left to join the US Navy for two years, then returned to graduate in 1949. He attended University of Rochester Medical School in Rochester, New York where he met Patricia (“Patty”) Volles, to whom he was married for 68 years until her passing in 2019. After graduating medical school, he trained at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The family moved back to Falmouth in 1958 and Hugh began his professional career as a urologist in Portland. For the next 35 years he practiced medicine at Maine Medical Center and hospitals in Bridgton, Norway, and Farmington, in keeping with his desire to serve the broader communities, and his love of traveling the state. He spent his retirement enjoying the outdoors, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and devoting his time to Patty.

Hugh enjoyed family, friends, patients, colleagues, and generally anyone he met. He was a loyal Red Sox and Patriots fan and loved attending crew races and soccer, lacrosse and baseball games (among others) of his children and grandchildren who lovingly called him “Pa.” Winters were spent at Sugarloaf, cross-country and downhill skiing as part of a group of families from the Portland area. In the summers he enjoyed hiking New England peaks, playing in his woodlot, and sailing the Maine coast. Throughout his adulthood, he had a revolving collection of cruising boats, power craft, sailboats and rowing shells, and he loved splicing rope, messing around with moorings, and painting his signature “HPR” on all things floatable. A prolific tree planter, he leaves behind many testaments to his arboreal devotion and dedication to thorough watering. Also, an ardent photographer, he built a vast photography catalogue that tells the story of his life and those around him.

In addition to his wife Patty, Hugh is predeceased by daughter Susan in 2022 and son-in-law Keith Heard in 2025. He is survived by Susan’s children Stuart Tisdale, his wife Jade and their two children, and Sarah Tisdale; daughter Martha Robinson Heard and her children Anna Heard and her husband Alex, and John Heard and his wife Damla; son William Robinson and his wife Lissa, and their children Will and Elias Robinson; and son Peter Robinson and his wife Janet and their children Isabel and husband Christian, and Annie Robinson. Hugh’s family is grateful for the kindness of his longtime caregiver Shella, and the support of the staff at Bay Square in Yarmouth. .We are all blessed to have had him in our lives for so long.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 3 pm on November 7, 2025, at State Street Church, 159 State St. in Portland, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to State Street Church and the University of Maine Foundation Patricia Volles Robinson Nursing Scholarship.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to leave a condolence message for the Robinson family and share a memory of Hugh.