Arthur Frank Robins

Art was born March 3, 1922 in Lynwood, California to Florence B. and James Earl Robins. Two years after graduating from high school and enduring a courtship that cost him nine sets of tires, Art married the love of his life, Barbara Krull, on June 14, 1942. They raised their four children first in their home adjacent to the Krull’s orange orchard and later in the Yakima valley.

He spent two summers as third baseman for the San Diego Padres while continuing his work as a boat builder until the outbreak of World War II. Art’s growing family and pregnant wife would likely have qualified him to serve stateside, but instead, consistent with his character and an unwavering devotion to his country, he sought active duty with the US Navy and was assigned to a ship repair unit. Art learned he was the father of twin boys from an announcement aboard his ship, the USS Rigel, where he saw action in nearly every major naval battle in the Pacific theater.

Art returned home at the war’s end in 1945 and built a career in carpentry, eventually moving his family to the Yakima valley in 1952. He began to specialize in safety, eventually earning a position as a safety inspector for the State of Washington. His distinguished career included work on major infrastructure projects in Eastern Washington, and he retired as the Regional Safety Administrator.

Even in retirement, Art always had a project to work on. His belief that you should learn something new everyday, together with a sharp memory, saw him engaged in everything from consulting to coin collecting. When he and his wife were not traveling the country in their motor home, Art volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission, helped establish the Central Washington Agriculture Museum, drove his 1941 Ford in the Yakima Vintiques, and maintained membership with the Carpenter’s Union, American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Art loved reading the word of God. He spoke of it often and he worked hard to live a life that embodied its teachings. He was a man of his word, he was always ready to lend a helping hand, and he was eager to give advice to anyone who asked and some who didn’t but needed it anyway.

He is preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Barbara Robins, and by six of his siblings. He is survived by his sisters, Kate Galkoski and Louise Purvis; by his children Marilynne Kendrick, Daryl Robins (Laura), David Robins (Ann) and Randy Robins (Tracy); and by eight grand children, ten great grand children, and one great great grandson.

Art’s family and friends will dearly miss his wit and wisdom, his devotion and his love, his humor and his tenacity, but they are comforted by the knowledge that he is now at peace, and that he will always be close at heart, if not at hand.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Keith and Keith Funeral Home.