I just heard via Andrew Gregg. I'm devastated. Dave was HUGE influence in my life. When I left WNCI he wrote, "Remember, Marketing Warfare," on my farwell card. So, I'm remembering that, as Dave would want me to. What a spirit! I love Dave, so much. What a guy!!! 

I have been thinking of Dave, Patti and Daniel all day today and yesterday and really so much since we heard the news.  My prayers and love to his wife Patti and their son, Daniel. Dave was my General Manager at US99 from 2002-2010.  As my co-worker, Liz, said he put together a dream team at US99 that became a family of forever friends.  Dave taught me that you can be both successful in your career and in your family. Some of my biggest career highlights were because of Dave. He and his PD, Mike Peterson, encouraged me to do the Midday show at the station. He even allowed me to do it from a home a few days a week because my children were young.  Our station enjoyed great success: great ratings, great awards and big broadcasting moments. For me, one of my favorite highlights was a broadcast from Disney.  It was a dream trip for me and my family, for Pam our Promotions Director and her family, and for many US99 listeners who won trips too. That's what Dave was so great at though...creating dream moments and making sure you were enjoying every minute in life.  What was most memorable, though, was the feeling that Dave created at the station. He was a great leader. He created a great environment. He wanted everyone to enjoy work and he wanted everyone to enjoy the fun rewards. You wanted to work hard and give your all for him.  He was full of energy.  He empowered everyone who worked for him. He was all light and love, and a gentleman full of class. He was an inspiration. He was all good things. He had the secret to life. This is devastating news to all of us who knew him. Everyone called him a friend. I’m honored to call him friend, too. I love his family. In this business, Patti and Dave were a married couple to emulate. His relationship with his son was also one to emulate. My heart goes out to Patti and their son, Daniel. I am so grateful for the time we shared together.  (This picture is of Dave, Pam our Promotions Director and me from that Disney World broadcast.)

We are heartbroken that this earth has lost a truly happy and positive spirit. We know that God was ready to enjoy Dave!  We were neighbors in Naperville, friends for life.  Trips to the ice cream store, downtown Chicago and the pumpkin farm . . .  lots of memories from Princess Circle! Our  Daveism  is "Say hello to everybody and goodbye to nobody!"  We don't want to say goodbye to you.  Our favorite memory is Dave singing the "Mr. Grinch song!" Dave and Dusty - reunited! Patti and Daniel, our thoughts and prayers are with you always!

Love, Mark, Lisa, Morgan, Christian & Matthew

Dear Patti and Daniel, I am so sorry for your loss!  I was shocked and sddened to hear the news of Dave's passing.  While we didn't keep in touch much, we did message on Facebook recently and shared a laugh.   I had the pleasure to work for "DR" at CBS Radio 's rock stations WLVQ & WAZU in Columbus, OH as a GSM from 1998-2005. DR taught us so much...from radio programming strategy to astronomy to NASCAR and beyond.  I grew a lot under his leadership and he enabled me to build an amazing sales team that had a great deal of success and a whole lot of fun. He instilled in us a high level of confidence, high energy and positivity, an anti-ego approach, the importance of propping up your team and not yourself and the idea that life's "setbacks" were merely neutral events whose outcomes were determined by our reaction to them. DR was a legend in the radio business and truly made the world he was in a better place, and those he met better people.  Thanks for inspiring and motivating us, DR. Rest in peace and God bless!  -Bryan Camella

I've had the pleasure of knowing Dave for over 30 years.  I followed his career, communicated with him, working for him, and even canoed with him down the "mighty Tuscarawas river".      As a student at Ohio U., I could call Dave up (while at WBBM) and ask for advise or even to cut some liners for WOUB AM's Nightshift.   I could shoot him an email or call him and know he'd always gladly provide mentoring or advice.   Though Dave was one of the very best radio pros I've ever had the privilege of knowing, he was an even greater man!  A kind, caring, and mentoring person.   About four years ago, I was building the smallest of FM stations.. a LPFM.. in our hometowns of Dover/New Philadelphia, Ohio and asked if he could provide the voice.  I knew it was asking a lot, but Dave didn't flinch at the request and was gracious to give a major-market sound to this small station.  He continued to do voice work and even stopped in to mentor the volunteers (are radio "newbies") and do more custom voice work.  This was Dave.  A guy who was gracious and kind.. and mentoring.    He loved radio, though it clearly came in second to family and friends.    I'm truly going to miss Dave, but it's not "goodbye", it's just "see you later".     Thank you for being a mentor.. and thank you for being a friend, Dave!   My heart goes out to Patti, Daniel, Reb, and all his family and very, VERY many friends.   If a man's measure is based on those who respect, admire, and love him, Dave was one of "richest" men I've ever known!    The attached pic is of Dave in the WDNP LPFM studio in Dover/New Philadelphia, Ohio in 2017.  He spend over an hour talking with the volunteers, laughing,  joking, and cutting voice overs.    We put together a tribute to Dave and broadcast it on 12/21/18 at 9am, 1pm, and 6pm.   http://dnp1023.wixsite.com/wdnp/dnp-remembers

We had the great good fortune of staying in a Vacation Central Florida condo on a trip to Florida in 2016.  We fell in love with the Windsor Hills resort and decided to do some research into purchasing our own place.  I contacted Dave through his website and asked if he might share some tips on what we should be looking for.  He got back to me immediately and not only gave us some tips, but shared his considerable knowledge of the area, the resort, and the positives and negatives of the different units.  He was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge and we were so impressed by his graciousness.  Long story short; with Dave's guidance, we found a lovely condo and without hesitation, joined the VCF family.  The news of Dave's passing filled us with sadness, but also with gratitude that we had the opportunity to know him.  We send our deepest sympathy to Patti and Daniel, I hope you find some comfort in knowing that Dave touched so many with his positive spirit.  He will be greatly missed.

Family and Relatives of Dave,  a class act of a human being!!! Both of us from Ohio and both ex Radio employee's, who really had a mutual respect for each other and life and family!!! Dave will truly be missed and we all need to keep him alive in spirit forever.  He was such a beacon of positive, upbeat, life and respect for all.  Be strong and keep him alive in spirit and treasure what we all learned from him!!!!

Dave,
Two weeks ago you and Patti taught us to look into each others eyes, exclaim "Prost", and clink our raised glasses. Prost to you my friend. You lived life to the fullest and skidded into heaven sideways. You are missed.
Best,
Dave

It seems like yesterday. I was working at "The New Q-10" in Canton.  In walks this kid to work evenings and weekends. Little did any of us know that some 40+ years later his obituary would refer to him as "Radio Legend."

Dave brought excitement with him to work.  He was also a sponge, quickly learning his craft from those around him.  In no time he took a tiny FM station in a tiny sound and made it sound big.  His career took off and through his own mentoring he helped others' careers take off as well.  When Dave left radio, it was radio's loss.  When Dave left this world it was everyone's loss. 

Rest In Peace, Dave.... and peace to you Patti and Daniel.  I will leave you with a line from a prayer that I've found comforting at times of loss: "We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage."

Dave Robbins appeared in my life, playing the role of my boss, at the exact moment I needed him the most. From my first “Lizzle List” I knew we were going to be a good team. Dave, with his essay style PD Questionnaire and his MBTI tests, assembled the single greatest group I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. A true dream team. Under his watch, I made some of my best, lifelong friends - of which I count him a part of. He truly cared about me and demonstrated it every day, even when it meant calling Marci in the middle of a date to ask if I was on an L that filled with smoke. I wasn’t, but the next day we both got particle masks to carry with us...just in case. The day he told me he was moving to Orlando I admit, I went home and cried.  We kept in touch, I still got up to the minute weather reports and he enjoyed sending me pics anytime Michael McDonald came on the radio (long story.) I don’t have words for how much DR will be missed.  This last week has been full of stories swapped about Dave and every single one ended with smiles and laughs. I hope he knows that. Patti, Dan...thank you so much for sharing him with us. You are both in my heart every day. And DR...it’s been an honor to be one of your “work daughters.” Love, Lizzle

Dear Patti, Daniel, and family,

I had the honor of knowing Dave, from my days as a Dover police officer. I tried to help both Dave and Patti whenever and wherever possible, with a teen dance club, which was a huge hit in our community. My casual visits to Columbus would sometimes result in a stop off at WNCI and pay a short visit to Dave. Of course, he was a very busy man, but he always took time to greet me and give me a seat for a bit. I'm sure there were times he would have rather been doing something else, but he always took the time to say hi. My memories of Dave also include a Richard Marx concert where Tammi and I got to be he and Patti's guests. Thanks for all the wonderful memories Dave, your life was cut short way too early.  The magnificent opportunities you gave others, will never be forgotten or go unnoticed either. You helped so many people during your lifetime and certainly made your mark wherever the path led you........our most sincere and deepest sympathy to all of your family.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dave when I was hired on at WUSN in the early 2000's.    Once I met Dave, I knew he was a true "radio" guy and those of us who were in radio, know what I am talking about.   Radio is in the blood.    Further, in the corporate radio world, there are good people and not so good people and Dave by far was one of the good ones!    His management style was like no other, where he treated people with respect, kindness, and empowered them to do their positions with out interruption.   We used to walk to and from Pru 2 from the Metra station daily, while stopping in the morning on the way for breakfast at different places in the loop, and stop for a cocktail in the afternoon.   We braved the elements, and one thing Dave used to tell me is, we can handle the cold, snow, sleet, no matter what.    A personal friendship began at that point outside of radio, and I can tell you that I feel so blessed to have been able to have a friend like him.  The man was one of my best friends in the world, a true mentor of mine in business and all aspects of life.  He was the most generous, kind, smart, upbeat person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  He was a total bro, or dude as we used to call each other.    There was not one day that went by where we did not at least text or Facebook messenger each other for the past 10 years!  Even though we did not live in the same city, our friendship grew even stronger!  Earlier this week upon reading all the social media posts about Dave, I was in shock.    I already knew what kind of a person Dave was, but I just never knew just how many people he touched in such a positive way and impacted their lives somehow!   He was a truly an incredible person and will be missed forever!  I know I am truly a better person from having Dave in my life.    My sincere deepest condolences go out to Patti, Daniel, Kara and the entire family.   God Speed DR!  I know he will truly be a mentor and friend to those in heaven!

 There are certainly no words in my vocabulary, or no appropriate passages in a sympathy card that can adequately express how devastated I was  upon hearing the news about the untimely passing of Dave Robbins.  As a huge supporter of “that team up north,” it’s  amazing that I could love an Ohio State Buckeye fan so deeply.  But I did .   I was even able to get tickets for the UM – OSU game this year for him and Patti... and I’m glad I did.   I’m also  pleased that I could get him overwhelming respect from the radio industry this past week.  To borrow from the late Paul Harvey “someone will take his job.  Nobody will take his place.”

Tatiana and I are still in shock about Dave's passing. Last week I reached out to Dave for advice about one of our properties, and as always Dave happily shared much information and provided me with his personal contacts. Although we have not known Dave, Patti and Daniel for more than two years, they have always been there for us. Dave was always so positive and thoughtful when providing advice and always went above and beyond what we required. We will miss him dearly and his one-of-kind unique voice! 
Rest in peace Dave and may God's Angels comfort you. 

With great respect and sympathy...………..Mark and Tatiana Vargas

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Dave is survived by his loving wife Patti of 40 years, son Daniel, Kara Bosserd, sisters Barbara (Dan) Leishman, Debra (Rod) Short, and many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family.

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David A. Robinson

May 26, 1959 – December 17, 2018

Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home

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