Mark D. Robins

1952 - 2018

Mark D. Robins

Bloomfield Hills - Mark D. Robins was born March 4, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan to John and Dorothy (Turner) Robins. He spent his elementary school years in the catholic school system. He graduated from Detroit Public Schools, Cass Technical High School, in 1970.

Mark continued his education earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University in 1974 where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. That same year he was accepted to Wayne State Law School and he graduated with his Juris Doctor degree in 1977. He passed the bar exam in 1977 and became a licensed practicing attorney.

While attending law school, Mark was a law clerk at the prestigious firm of Plunkett, Cooney, Rutt, Watters, Stanczyk and Pedersen. Once licensed, he became an associate attorney in 1977 where he focused on the practice of workers' compensation law. In 1983 he became a partner where he ultimately served as the Workers' Compensation Practice Group Leader and he spent his entire 41 year legal career with, what became, Plunkett Cooney. Mark was highly regarded and respected throughout his legal career earning many honors and awards. Mark received the highest AV Preeminent rating in the peer review rated Martindale-Hubbell, he was a Fellow in the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers, he is named in America's Best Lawyers, he was a Super Lawyer. He was the Workers' Compensation Section Chair for the ALFA International. He was a member of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Wolverine Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, Michigan Self-Insurers' Association and Defense Research Institute.

In 1984 Mark met the love of his life, Debra Henry, at the Bureau of Workers' Compensation in Pontiac. Debra, an official court reporter for the Bureau, would encounter Mark daily either in court or in the hallways where she was always greeted with that beautiful, radiant smile. Everyone in their presence knew they belonged together but since Mark was soft spoken and shy they felt it would have to be up to Debra. Judge Russell Bine and Becky Barnett stepped in and encouraged Debra to ask out that amazing, intelligent, kind and handsome attorney, Mark Robins. Debra invited Mark to lunch at the former Bedell's in Bloomfield Hills where they met and from that day forward became "Mark and Debra" or "Debra and Mark", together forever. They married on November 2, 1985 and for 33 years they were an inspiration to all sharing a life filled with endless laughter, joy and love. They simply loved being in each other's company.

Sadly, this beautiful love story was interrupted in the early hours of December 12, 2018 when Mark suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. In addition to his beloved Debra, Mark is survived by his parents, John and Dorothy, his loving brother Michael (Denise), and sister Deborah (companion Bill Carter), his niece Jessica and nephew Ted. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 9:00 am at White Chapel Cemetery, 621 West Long Lake Road, Troy.

Donations on Mark's behalf can be made to Wayne State University Law School Scholarship Fund, Office of Annual Giving, 5510 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202