Carl Robison

ROBISON, Carl Francis, born May 27, 1908 in Watertown, N.Y., Died January 2, 2010. He was a devout Catholic and member of St. Bridget's Church. He was a loyal and faithful Hokie; a football star during 1932 to 1934 as a lineman and a fullback. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Madeline Elmore Robison; his brothers, John, Arthur, Joe, Donald; sister, Mildred; and sister-in-law, Connie. Robbie graduated from Dean Academy and V.P.I. He was one of the founders of The Officers Club, now the Westwood Club, and a lifetime member of The Knights of Columbus, Y.M.C.A., Bull and Bear Club, Navy Memorial Foundation and Golden Hokie. Robbie was the oldest living Hokie football player and honorable mention All American in 1933. As a Lt. Commander in the Navy during WWII, he was highly decorated receiving the Navy Cross during the invasion of Sicily. He commanded twelve LCI I landing crafts and gunboats. His main regret was not getting his twelve LCI G gunboats to Iwo-Jimia because of another battle. He retired from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Mary Madelyn Robison Tucker and her husband, Beverley Randolph Tucker III; his granddaughter, Madelyn Tucker Smith and her husband, Andrew Ira Smith; two great-grandchildren, Tucker Woodward Smith and Madeleine Hannah Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Bridget Church and to Va. Tech Athletic Fund. Family will receive visitors from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 14th at St. Bridget Church. A mass of Christian burial to be celebrated Thursday, January 14 at 11a.m. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.