On February 26, 2023, Robin Dropkin of West Lebanon, NY passed away at home in hospice care after a long struggle with ovarian cancer. Her husband, Ralph (Chip) Frank, and two devoted friends, along with the hospice nurse, were by her side.

Born on December 8, 1952, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late May Kaplan and Morton Dropkin. She grew up in Teaneck, NJ, next door to her first cousin, Joanne Siegel, who was like a sister to her.

Graduating from Teaneck High School in 1970, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1974. Moving back east in 1975, she lived for a brief time at the Abode of the Message, the Sufi community in New Lebanon, NY. She left the Abode to do graduate work at Antioch University New England in Keene, NH, where she earned a master's degree in environmental studies.

In 1980, Robin and Chip were married at the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA, and bought their home in West Lebanon.

From an early age, Robin knew her life's work would involve the environment. A gifted and passionate gardener, she was knowledgeable about all aspects of the natural world. Robin's friends often called upon her to identify the birds, trees, and flowering shrubs on walks in the woods and countryside.

After working part-time for several years for Parks and Trails New York (PTNY), she was promoted to Executive Director in 1995. PTNY is the leading statewide nonprofit park and trail advocacy organization based in Albany, NY. She would go on to lead the organization for almost 30 years, making a difference in creating and promoting numerous greenways, bike paths, river walks, trails, and state parks throughout New York. One project close to her heart was the popular nine-day "Cycling the Erie Canal" with more than 500 bicycling participants.

Robin cared deeply for her family, organizing holiday gatherings, trips, and week-long get-togethers from New York City to Cape Cod and the Adirondacks. She was known for choosing and leading expeditions to Broadway shows with her extended family.

Friends from diverse walks of life - book group, tennis club, hikers, cyclists, art lovers, and more -- were important to her. For many years she and Chip held a Memorial Day party that became "the" place to be on that holiday. She was an avid reader, often reading more than one book at a time, and served for over 30 years on the board of the New Lebanon Library.

Robin is survived by her husband Chip Frank, daughter Mara Simon (children Shoshana and Jacob), and son Dan Dropkin-Frank. A memorial service was held at the Old Chatham Quaker Meetinghouse in Old Chatham, NY, on March 2.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the local land conservancy that maintains the parks Robin walked in every day: https://clctrust.org/contribute/gift/

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Mar. 11, 2023.