Paul James Robinson

Paul James Robinson, Jr., born September 8, 1929 to Edna T. and Paul J. Robinson, Sr. in Los Angeles, California, seemed destined for exceptional greatness. Paul was a “curious” child, gifted with an eidetic (similar to photographic) memory, an immovable will, and unstoppable imagination and ambition. While in high school, Paul received a pile of auto parts as compensation for a job constructing the foundation of a house. He assembled the car (without instructions or mechanical experience) to discover it was a 1921 Roamer Roadster, used it for transportation, and while attending the University of Southern California sold it for 860 dollars to buy an engagement ring for his precious “Annie”. He had met his true love Ann Augustine at the age of 14 and the high school sweethearts wed September 12, 1950 and remained so for 65 years until her passing after an incredible 72 years together. Paul wondered about that fateful vehicle and decades after selling it tracked it down at the Concours d’ Elegance Car Show in Pebble Beach where he was surprised to learn it was then worth 1,245,000 dollars.

Ann supported Paul’s pursuit of a medical degree from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and internship at Philadelphia General Hospital. During that time they traveled frequently to New York City to see many of the classics in musical theater on Broadway. Paul’s beautiful voice opened many doors, and he was able to sing in the chorus of a traveling production of “Aida” with the San Francisco Opera, audition for the New York Metropolitan Opera, and perform in a full production musical of “Pills and Frills”, written and produced by fellow doctors and nurses in his internship year.

Paul and Ann were then off to San Antonio, Texas where Paul was stationed as a Captain at Randolph Air Force Base. There they began their family with the birth of their sons Lee and Tom, 14 months apart. They then moved to Oregon for Paul’s residency in Ophthalmology and completed their family with the birth of their daughter Kimberly.

Paul’s love of farming was realized when they bought a 40 acre farm on the outskirts of Portland where he could get on his trusty Ford tractor after “work” and delve into countless projects with his family. These included building fences, clearing land for a new house and barn, leading the 4-H sheep club, and supervising the kids with a menagerie of farm animals (sheep, cows, horses, etc.) and exotic pets (a skunk and raccoon). When asked by a grandchild what his favorite farm animal or crop was that he raised during that time, Paul replied that the farm was really intended for raising children, and this rural setting truly was the ideal place to instill an appreciation for the great outdoors and the circle of life.

Paul intensely and truly cared for anyone with whom he came in contact. Gregarious and extroverted, he made family, friends, and acquaintances alike feel as if they were the center of his world. His foresight and ambition lead to his founding the Oregon Medical Eye Clinic, a full service, managed-care concept well before its time, where he enjoyed really getting to know his patients. His fascination for ophthalmology gave rise to his exploring the beginnings of minimal incision cataract removal and intra-ocular lens implantation. Several missionary trips to Mexico allowed him to share his expertise with those less fortunate. Besides his medical career, Paul also parlayed his land ownings with his father and brother into income producing residential real estate properties in Southern California.

Paul and Ann’s “Love of Family” became the cornerstone foundation for the Robinson “Clan” and his zest for life flourished with travels abroad, as well as a lifetime of fishing, hunting, hiking and camping with his family. Paul always did things 110 percent including launching into marathon running in his fifties and winning his age group in the Boston Marathon. He loved skiing with Ann and his family after having to relearn on “modern day skis”, so different from the long wooden ones he learned on in college.

Paul’s love of music was life long and continued to blossom in an assisted living community where he composed new songs, rearranged others, and performed. He was half of the “Hoot and Holler Boys” duo with his dear friend Jim Chase, entertaining all who heard them. With complete memory of over 400 pieces (and multiple operas), he was never at a loss for something to sing, and he delighted in leading singalongs to share his passion for song with others. Paul always had a knack for articulating himself and had a distinctive way with words – “It will feel better when it stops hurting,” “I’m fair to middling”, “If I were doing any better it’d be against the law” were only a few of his unique expressions. He recently had developed a flair for poetry, completing and publishing a collection of his poems before he passed.

Paul is survived by his three children, Kimberly in Sammamish, Washington, Tom in Billings, Montana, and Lee and his wife Valerie in Sisters, Oregon; six grandchildren; and his nephew Chip (like another son to him) and sister-in-law Joyce in Newport Beach, California. Paul had a wonderful, full life packed with love of family and remarkable accomplishments. He’ll be remembered as a “Renaissance Man”, a rogue with a devilish rebellious streak, a joyful friend, a talented role model, and above all else a loving father and husband to Ann. He will be sorely missed but forever cherished by his entire family and extensive circle of friends who will be holding a private interment and memorial service.

Paul requested any donations in his memory be made to the Yale School of Medicine Alumni Fund or OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Yale School of Medicine Alumni Fund

PO Box 7611

New Haven, CT 06519, or

www.yale.edu/giveMedicine

Doernbecher Foundation

PO Box 29017

Portland, OR 97296