Ralph Harper Robins

RALPH HARPER ROBINS

Ralph Harper Robins passed away on December 22, 2010 in Denver, Colorado en route to spend Christmas with his grandchildren, son, daughter-in-law and daughter whose homes are in Sandy, Utah.

Ralph was born on May 15th 1926 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to his parents Frances Lord Robins of Plymouth, MA and to Sidney S. Robins of Asheboro, N.C.

He graduated from Canton, N.Y. High School and enlisted in the US Naval Reserves. After MIT and training at Bates College he was assigned to U.S. Midshipman School and was commissioned as an Ensign, USNR on March, I945. He was still only 18 yrs. old and some have said he was the youngest commissioned officer in the Navy during WWII.

After 15 years in the business world with General Electric and later at Boston Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Co., Ralph joined a non-profit organization, EDC, and under a research grant from the Ford Foundation, introduced math and science programs in Sub-Saharan Africa to primary age school children. When this work was finished he started Career Specialists of NE in Portsmouth, N.H.

Upon retirement, Ralph began working on his real passion, music. For 25 years he played trumpet with concert bands, (self-taught), started his own brass quintet, and played solo in numerous churches in New England and North Carolina. He also sang with the Unitarian Universalist Church choir as well as the Wilmington Choral Society.

Ralph joined the UU Fellowship of Wilmington after moving here in 1996. He served on it's Board of Directors including 2 years as president. His institutional commitment to the UUA over the years has been: Member of 6 congregations, President of 4. Served 8 years on UUA Board of Directors, 6 years on UU Service Committee Board, 4 years on UUA Ministerial Fellowship committee, and 2 yrs. as President of Vermont New Hampshire District, UUA.

Ralph is survived by his son, Kendall, his wife, Cara, and their children, Tim, Megan and Kyle who live in Salt Lake City and Denver. His other family includes daughter, Martha Robins of Salt Lake City, as well as siblings Ann Frank of Louisville, KY, John and Charlotte Robins of Seattle, James and Marie Robins of Conway, N.H. and Pat Robins of Medford, OR. Ralph is also survived by his wife, Antoinette B. Robins who lives in Wilmington.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 30th at 2 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Lake Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Wilmington Choral Society c/o of Mrs. Paula Brinkman; or to Sharon Moore, Choir Director at the UU Fellowship.

Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com