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Hugh Dean Robinson, Jr. ('Dean') Naples, FL 10/07/23 to 07/14/14
With his loving family at his side, Hugh Dean Robinson, Jr. ('Dean') 90, passed away at Naples Community Hospital on July 14, 2014 from complications of pneumonia.
Dean was born in North Chicago, IL on October 7, 1923, the son of Hugh Dean Robinson and Stella Marie (Knott) Robinson. He grew up in Waukegan, IL and graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1941.
He attended Knox College in Galesburg, IL until December of 1942, when he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps Flight Training and Officer Candidate School. Dean was assigned to the 381st Bomb Group (based in Ridgewell, Essex, England) as a B-17 pilot, and he flew his first combat mission over Germany on his 21st birthday in 1944. On February 14, 1945 Dean's plane was shot down while on a mission over Brux, Czechoslovakia and, after bailing out, Dean sustained several fractured ribs and vertebrae. While being transported to a field hospital, he and the air ambulance pilot were forced to bail out of their aircraft when they were caught in fog and ran out of fuel. Two days later, the B-24 that was transporting Dean and other wounded troops back to England crashed on take-off. He survived and received the Purple Heart for his injuries. After a few weeks of convalescence he continued to fly combat missions. In all, Dean flew 33 combat missions and, at the end of the war, flew British POW's out of eastern Germany, delivered food and aid to war-torn Holland, flew base personnel back to the States, and became a B-29 instructor.
Upon returning to civilian life, Dean met and married Mary Alice 'Mickey' Kyndberg. Together, they completed their educations at the University of Illinois and then settled in Waukegan to raise their family. Dean began his career as an advertising copywriter for Abbott Laboratories and went on to enjoy a successful career in the printing industry in Chicago. He established General Graphics Corp., a Chicago printing and publishing company, in 1960 and sold the company to the John Blair Corp. of NYC in 1970, consolidating in into American Printers & Lithographers in Niles, IL. He retired from AP&L in 1980.
In 1976, Dean and Mickey moved to Naples from Lake Forest, IL. After retirement, Dean did not slow down. He was active and involved with his teenage son and his activities. He invested in real estate and farming (limes and avocados). He immersed himself in his favorite activities: golf, fishing, flying, reading, travel and Civil War history. He loved the beach and savored every sunset. He served on the boards of many local community groups. And, he was an active member and board member of the Imperial Golf Club and then, Royal Poinciana Golf Club, where he won the club championship in 1995.
Dean and Mickey were married for 55 full and happy years. She preceded him in death in 2001 after a lengthy illness. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Stella Robinson; his son, Stephen Elmer Robinson; and his sisters, Doris Mae Jacoby and Norma Jean Roush.
Dean is survived by his loving wife, Eileen Patricia Rovelstad Robinson, with whom he enjoyed 12 wonderful years. He is also survived by his children, Susan (Gil) LaCroix of Naples; Hugh (Donna) Robinson of Winfield, IL; James (Marilynn) Robinson of Ogden Dunes, IN; Richard (Tanya) Robinson of Naples; his daughter-inlaw, Karen Robinson of Phoenix, AZ; his stepdaughter, Lori Thorn of LaFayette, GA; his 14 grandchildren, Robin (Doug) Olson, Kathryn LaCroix and Lindsey LaCroix of Naples, James (Amy) Robinson and Jeffrey (Aja) Robinson of Chicago; Dan Robinson of Phoenix, AZ, Laura (Brandon) Keefe and Erin Robinson of Chicago, IL, Brian Robinson of Atlanta, GA, Andrew (Megan) Robinson, Aly Robinson of Phoenix, AZ, Jett, Sailor and Ricki Lou Robinson of Naples; and five greatgrandchildren, Emma and Greta Olson, Sunny Robinson and Savannah and Avery Keefe.
A memorial service for Dean will be held at a later date. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please make any memorial donations to the 381st Bomb Group Scholarship Fund, 145 Kimel Park Drive., Suite 370, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103-6972
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Robinson family
Tony Parato
July 21, 2014
Rick, Tanya and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We love all of you so very much.
Love, Aunt Patsy and Uncle Art
PAT DUNCAN
July 19, 2014
A heart felt sorrow from the entire Jacoby family for the family of Uncle Dean. Condolences from Mike, Jake/Cindy, Bubba/Trina, Jay/Helen and Micki/ Heath. God bless.
Mike Jacoby
July 19, 2014
Lindsey LaCroix
July 18, 2014
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