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Roy Robbins Obituary
Roy Eugene Robbins, Ph.D., died April 7, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. He was in the middle of the Spring Semester, and his 35th year of teaching, at St. Mary's University where he joined the faculty in 1983 and was the Chair of the Department of Economics. Almost a year before, on April 10, 2017, Dr. Robbins received one of his most cherished honors when two of his former students, Gastón Sosa de la Torre and Marisol Arteaga Gonzalez gave $1 million to St. Mary's University School of Humanities and Social Sciences to endow the Roy Robbins Professorship in Economics. In advance of the formal announcement of the professorship, Arteaga Gonzalez and Sosa de la Torre echoed the sentiments of many of Dr. Robbins' former students in describing him as "a mentor who motivates me to believe in myself and to strive for what is right," who encouraged the love of economics, "a great instrument that can be used to help achieve a better society," and as a "tough, but fair, professor who always encouraged us to think beyond our surroundings and our comfort zones. He has been a true guide and an inspiration to us." Dr. Robbins was moved by the generosity of Gastón and Marisol and was looking forward to being a part of the University's ability to use the professorship to emphasize studies on the Texas-Mexico border and the economies of Mexico and Latin America. Dr. Robbins was born on April 22, 1939 in Harlingen, Texas, where he grew up. He wrote his first will in the 1960s before he travelled to integrate a church in Mississippi during the Civil Rights movement. He married Margaret Guzmán Robbins on November 24, 1973 after they met while they were both working for the Model Cities Program of the City of San Antonio. Dr. Robbins received a B.A. from Southwestern University, his M.Th. from Southern Methodist University, an M.A. from St. Mary's University, and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Dallas. He was as steadfast in his commitment to social justice as he was in his refusal to retire. In addition to teaching and mentoring, Dr. Robbins enjoyed cheering on the Rattlers at as many St. Mary's sporting events as he could. He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Jennifer, and sisters Roma (Santee, California) and Nancy Mathews (Simpsonville, South Carolina) who will miss him terribly along with the hundreds of students and others at St. Mary's whose lives he touched and whom he loved like his own family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 15th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with recitation of the rosary at 7:00 PM in the chapel at Porter Loring on McCullough.
MASS OF THE RESURRECTION
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2018
10:30 AM
ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY, TREDAWAY HALL
GUADALUPE CHAPEL
1 CAMINO SANTA MARIA
Interment will be private for the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roy Robbins, Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Mary's University, the ACLU, or St. Mary's University. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com. Arrangements with
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roy Robbins
Sponsored by Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough.
Dan Rigney
May 3, 2018
Roy, you were one of the best friends I ever had at St. Mary's. I'll never forget your efforts to reconcile economics and social ethics -- no easy task, but I think you did it. Congratulations, Dr. Robbins, on a life well spent. Peace be with you, and also with Margaret and Jenny.
Esther Thomas
April 22, 2018
We are honored and blessed to have known Roy for many years. He was a great friend and we will miss seeing him. Our love goes to Margaret and Jenny for their loss. We are remembering you in prayer. Love always, Esther and Roger
Mary Ann Gwost Hennen
April 16, 2018
I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to first meet Roy in 1983 when we both came to St. Mary's. Little did I know that our collegiality and friendship would grow and stay intact for the next 35 years. My deepest sympathies to Margaret and Jenny whom he so cherished, and my special thanks to former students who initiated such respect through their endowment to the University in his name. I'm sorry I cannot attend the services in person this day.
With sympathies and gratefulness, Mary Ann Gwost Hennen
Ruben Candia
April 15, 2018
Roy was an excellent professor and a good friend to his students and fellow colleagues on the Faculty. He always had time to talk about any topic. His ability to understand others' viewpoints made him a real person to turn to when seeking answers to tough situations. St. Mary's has lost an institution and he will be missed.
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Janet Armitage
April 13, 2018
Roy was a supportive thoughtful colleague and professor. He lived each day with a passion for his students, and never missed an opportunity to say a few kind words to others and about life. He was proud to be a member of the St. Mary's community and perhaps more proud to be the father of Jenny and husband to Margaret. He spoke of you often with such joy. My thoughts are with you.
Olachi Onwuzurike
April 11, 2018
Professor Robbins was my advisor and mentor during my studies at St. Mary's and after. I could always rely on him in every way. I can never forget him. May he rest in peace.
Yezel Taylor
April 11, 2018
Roy was the type of person who you could sit and chat with no matter the day or time. I will always value our conversations especially those where he gave me an insight into his profound life. I was able to see for myself what everyone described as his complete devotion to his work and his students. My deepest sympathy goes out to Margaret and Jenny whom he talked about with great joy and affection.
Grace Keyes
April 10, 2018
Roy was such a wonderful person and colleague. So thoughtful, kind, gentle, and with such good will. Over the years, we had many conversations about so many topics. I will miss him and these enjoyable chats very much. He will remain in the memory of all who knew him.
Lourdes Paz
April 10, 2018
I am so sorry for the loss of such a great person, not only was he my advisor during my years at St.Mary's, also became my mentor and friend since graduation in 2004. I live in Honduras and will always remember him, keep Prof Robbins in my heart and his family in my prayers.
Necia Wolff
April 10, 2018
I also had such a wonderful time talking with Roy. He was a true advocate for research. I will miss him so much. My true sympathy to his loved ones.
David Turner
April 10, 2018
Although we were in different schools at St. Mary's, I was fortunate to meet Roy at several university functions. He was a kind and courteous gentleman, and always willing to share his experiences at the university with a junior faculty member looking for guidance. He will be greatly missed at St. Mary's, but his legacy will continue to support future generations of students.
Richard Pressman
April 10, 2018
Roy was certainly one of the good guys. In the 36 years of our relationship, I knew him to be always a fair-minded, committed teacher and person. His devotion to teaching was so great that he continued until nearly his 79th birthday. I will miss his ever-pleasant greetings.
Jeff Schomburg
April 10, 2018
Roy was one of the kindest, most joyful, souls I've ever met. Boundless with his generosity. We were blessed to share in his life.
Carolyn Tubbs
April 10, 2018
Roy, your ability to encourage others and invite them to the task of working for the common good is your legacy to those you loved, those who loved and learned from you, and generations of those who will reap the benefits of your social justice commitment.
Mark Sanchez
April 10, 2018
My condolences to the family, he will be missed. Mark A. Sanchez (St.Mary's University Facilities Since 1981)
Eva Bueno
April 10, 2018
Dear colleague Roy! "I have the messiest office in the University," he once told me, laughing. No one actually cared for the apparent mess, because what mattered was really the order in his mind, the kindness in his heart, the joy in his actions. He loved teaching, and he was a mentor to so many younger scholars. I pray for his family in this moment of great loss.
Bernadette Hamilton-Brady
April 10, 2018
Flights of Angels send you to your rest, Roy. My sincerest condolences to Roy's family.
Kristin Grayson
April 9, 2018
Such a great man - will be missed by many! He was a great mentor to my daughter Mary!
Larry Hufford
April 9, 2018
Roy was a wonderful colleague. Over the years we had many conversations discussing how we could improve our application of Catholic Social Teaching in our courses and our mentoring of students. Roy was a master in having students apply ethical reasoning to their study of economics with the end goal of making our communities more just. He brought his theological training to the study of economics. He will be missed. Roy loved his students, the University, the Marianist community and above all his family. Jen, your father was so proud of you and he loved you so much. You and your Mom meant the world to him. Always remember the good times. I will miss the mass as I leave for Ohio to attend our granddaughter's confirmation. Please know I will be there in spirit. And, I will continue to carry on his passion to work for greater social justice.
Ninfa Escobar
April 9, 2018
I will always have you in my heart, you became the grandfather figure I never had. I thank God for the valuable time we were able to spend talking about everything around the world. I will never forget all the support you and your wife gave me throughout my college years. I'll keep my promise, and I'll see you again one day. Rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers for the family. - Ninfa Escobar from Nicaragua
Monica Bauer
April 9, 2018
Professor Robbins was such a positive influence on all of his students. He had a profound impact on my life. His love and compassion for everyone was palpable. I will never forget him.
Alejandro Vélez, Ph.D.
April 9, 2018
My sincerest condolescence to Margaret and Jenny. May the good times you had with Roy help you heal from the loss. Alejandro (Alex.) Vélez
Monica Bauer
April 9, 2018
Professor Robbins was such a positive influence on all of his students. He had a profound impact on my life. His love and compassion for everyone was palpable. I will never forget him.
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5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
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