Dr. Robert Robinson

Dr. Robert Robinson
December 23, 2020
Wichita, Kansas - Dr. Robert "Robbie" Robinson, 100, passed away peacefully at his longtime residence in Wichita, KS, on December 23, 2020. He was born and raised in the Morningside section of Pittsburg, PA. After High School he was awarded a football scholarship at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS, where he played left tackle and was named a small college All American. While at college he met his future wife, Margie Stanley, and they married in 1943. They raised four children and were a devoted couple until her death in 2002.
Robbie's college career was put on hold for a time during World War II when he was stationed in Texas as a member of the medical branch of the Army Air Corps. He became one of the last three surviving Kansas veterans of World War II. After the war he returned to Southwestern College to finish his degree. Thereafter, he taught High School Biology at Kingman, KS for two years before entering Medical School in 1949. After receiving his M.D. degree from the University of KS, he began his internship and residency training in Wichita.
After his training, Robbie practiced anesthesia for 32 years as a member of the Wichita Clinic with staff privileges at both St. Francis Hospital and Wesley. During his professional career he assumed several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and President of the Medical Staff at St. Francis Hospital, Chief of Medical Staff at Wesley, and President of the Kansas Anesthesia Society.
One of his enduring legacies was the establishment of the anesthesia program for anesthesiology residents and nurse anesthetists in Wichita. Because of his extensive contributions as a teacher the Wichita Anesthesiology Residency Program annually presents the "Robert H. Robinson Award" to the faculty member voted the most outstanding instructor.
His strong proponency of higher education made an impact on his family. Several of his children and grandchildren followed in his footsteps in medicine or pursued higher education. Similarly, his lifelong passions for football, classical music and Italian cusine have been embraced to some extent in each succeeding generation.
His devotion to others was evident in his daily life. To honor his beloved wife, Margie, he faithfully tended to her iris garden long after her death. Well into his advanced years he remained an ever present support for his daughter Gail. Moreover, this devotion was not confined to his immediate circle. He was a loved and respected figure among his relations all across the United States and to the fifty plus Canadian members of the Robinson family he was affectionately known as "Uncle Bob". Ever the gracious host, his home in east Wichita was the hub for many gatherings both during his professional and retirement years.
Robbie is survived by sons, John Robinson (Sharen), Tim Robinson (Sylvia) and daughter Gail Griffith. His oldest son Michael Robinson, (Diane) passed away in 1998. He had seven grandchildren: Jason Robinson (Rachel), Shannon Robinson, Sean Robinson, Gwendolyn Jones (Darren), Sam Robinson (Tami), Meghan Khater (Tayler), and Kathryn Robinson. Robbie has nine great grandchildren: Rachel, Robbie, Sawyer, Drake, Cordelia, Maddox, Aria, Josephine and Michael.
On behalf of dad the family would like to give special thanks to Connie Garcia for her many years of selfless service to Robbie. Without her steadfast care and devotion he would not have been physically able to experience his wish to live at home, particularly during the latter years of his life.
There will not be a service at the interment site at Cunningham, KS. A celebration of life ceremony is planned for the Spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Southwestern College, Attn: Development Office, 100 College St., Winfield, KS, 67156-2499.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com