Ray L. Robinson

Ray Lewis Robinson, 71, of Salem, Va., passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. He is survived by Jeanne, his wife of 52 years; two daughters, Leigh Trippe, of Nelson County, Va., and Leslie Prillaman, of Salem. He is also survived by one granddaughter, Lina Prillaman; two sons-in-law, Fritz Trippe and Carlyle Prillaman; brother and sister-inlaw, Elton and Mabeline Robinson; sister-in-law, Joyce Robinson; in-laws, James and Jean Alderman and Roger and Becky Alderman. He was a navy veteran, serving in the late years of the Korean War. His entire lifetime was spent as a newspaper man, the one thing that he cherished in addition to his family and faith.
Ray and his wife, Jeanne, owned the Salem TimesRegister from 1965 to 2001. They also owned the New Castle Record, The Fincastle Herald and The Vinton Messenger, until 2001. His newspapers won over 200 state awards while he was at the helm. He purchased his first newspaper, The Clinch Valley News, at 24 years of age.
Ray was a member of the Virginia Press Association (VPA) and served on the Board of Directors for five years. He served as VPA Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, President Elect and President. He was the 100th president of the Association in the year 2000.
Ray was the 2006 Roy W. Henrickson Outstanding Citizen of the Year recipient for the Salem Rotary Club; the Recipient of the Charles Brown Award, for Roanoke College; Business and Employer of the year 1968 and the State "Partner in 4-H" Award.
He was a member of the Roanoke College Associates, Salem Rotary Club-Paul Harris Fellow, Roanoke Valley 4-H Volunteer, Board Member of The Boy Scouts of America, Salem YMCA Board, Salem Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Refugee and Immigration Service Board-teaching conversational survival English (with a Southwest Virginia accent) to a Bosnian family. He also volunteered for the American Cancer Society as a Road to Recovery Driver. After his cancer diagnosis, he raised over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society. He assisted in many community projects including Olde Salem Days, The Roanoke Valley Horse Show, The Salem Christmas Parade, The Salem Christmas Store, The Salem Food Pantry, The Salem Clothes Closet and The Better Business Bureau. He was also a former member of the Salem Jaycees, Tazewell Lions and Salem Kiwanis.
Ray was a member of the First Christian Church of Salem for 40 years. He was an Elder, a Deacon, a Trustee, and Chairman of the Church Board.
Ray published three books and continued to write a weekly column for the Salem Times Register during the last years of his life.
He was the personification of this quote from William Penn, Quaker founder of the Pennsylvania Colony. Penn said, "I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and no' defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."
"When I die and meet God I would wish that God will say, "Ray, did you enjoy life? Did you have fun?" And I will be able to answer, "Yes I did, Yes I did."
Ray Lewis Robinson, wonderful husband and father, accomplished journalist, successful publisher, astute businessman, philanthropist and an example to us all, 1936 to 2008.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2008, at First Christian Church, Salem. Burial will follow at East Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or First Christian Church, Salem.