Ronald D. Robinson

1932 - 2025

Ronald D Robinson

January 12, 1932 - May 25, 2025

Boise, Idaho - Ronald D. Robinson, 93, was born January 12, 1932 to Lynn and Minerva Robinson in Hotchkiss, CO, the second of three boys. The family later moved to Grand Junction, CO, where Ron graduated from High School in 1950. He also attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Ron attended Mesa Jr. College in Grand Junction, and graduated from Embry-Riddle School of Aviation in Miami, FL.

In 1953, Ron married Kay Howard, and they moved to Napa, CA, where he was stationed with the US Air Force as a B-36 Peacekeeper mechanic for the Strategic Air Command. He served Temporary Duty in Guam during the Korean War. In 1954, he was transferred to Biggs AFB in El Paso, TX, where daughters Debra and Cheryl were born. In 1957, the family moved back to Grand Junction, where daughter Nancy was born, and he worked as a mechanic for Wegner Aircraft. In 1958, they moved to Gallup, NM, where Ron worked as a shop foreman for Navajo Flying Service. And in 1959, the family moved to Farmington, NM, where Ron flew as a charter pilot for Four Corners Aviation. During this time, he flew the oil pipeline for Shell Oil and transported members of the Navajo Nation for the US Public Health Service, enjoying the Southwest desert landscape of the Four Corners area. In 1965, Ron earned his Airline Transport Rating.

In 1966, the family moved to Boise, where Ron became a pilot for Boise Cascade Aviation. In 1968, he received his Captain's rating in the Lear Jet. He flew Lear Jets and the Dassault Falcon 50 during his career with Boise Cascade, traveling the world from the US to Austria, and Canada to South America. He flew executives from Boise Cascade, Albertson's, Morrison-Knudsen, US Bank, and Simplot, giving him a unique view of the business world in Boise. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management from Boise State College in 1974. During this time, Ron also owned and operated his own charter operation, Maverick Air.

In 1987, to celebrate retirement from Boise Cascade, Ron and Kay traveled to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Until his second retirement in 2002, Ron did contract work for M-K and Simplot, and flew for the State of Idaho, doing game counts for Fish & Game, and flying state officials. In 2005, Ron finished building his RV4 kit aircraft, and took it on its maiden flight to Caldwell.

Ron belonged to the International Cessna 170 Club, and QBs, and enjoyed many trips in his Cessna 170 and Cessna 172, especially back country fly-ins to Bettles, AK, and Yellowknife, NT, Canada.

Ron was predeceased by his parents, brothers Bill and Vern, and niece Kathy Zemke. He is survived by Kay, his wife of 72 years, and three daughters, Debra Robinson (Larry Snyders) and Cheryl Robinson, Boise, and Nancy Coleman. Plus nieces and nephews Barbie Hallmark; Curt, Brent, Paul, and Ross Robinson; and Kristi Barton. And cousins Elaine Violett, Maggie Rinker, and Roger Maki. Ron and Kay met in 1941 in the third grade, and have known each other for 84 years.