Valerie Robinson

Valerie Ruth Robinson LUBBOCK- Valerie Ruth (Warren) Robinson passed away on Friday, September 21, 2012 at the young age of 63 after a valiant battle with breast cancer. She was born May 6, 1949 in Fort Worth. She was a graduate of Arlington Heights High School, Class of 1967, and received her BSN of Nursing, summa cum laude, from Texas Christian University in 1972. Valerie was accepted and was a member of the first class of Texas Tech Medical School, graduating in 1975 with her Doctorate of Medicine. Following her graduation, she trained at Southwestern Medical School in Pediatrics, and subsequently changed to Psychiatry, completing her General Psychiatry Residency and Child-Adolescent Fellowship at Southwestern Medical School. She was a long-standing member of the American Psychiatric Association and was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of that organization. Additionally, she was a member and past president of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Valerie opened her private practice in Fort Worth in 1981, specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, eventually establishing Carousel Clinic in 1988. Following her time in private practice, she was employed at Cook's Children's Hospital and Lena Pope Home in Fort Worth. During these years, she also traveled extensively in West Texas to provide access and expand psychiatric services to children and young adults in these areas. In January 2003, she joined the Department of Psychiatry at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor, eventually rising to the rank of Associate Professor. Valerie was appointed by the Governor of Texas to the Texas State Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee in 2003. She later was invited to also join the Drug Utilization Review Committee. Valerie continued her work at Texas Tech and participation on these committees until her death. Valerie will be remembered for her infectious energy and zeal for life. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend. She met her lifelong friend and lover of 47 years, her husband Thomas Craig Robinson, in 1965 in R.O.T.C. at Arlington Heights High School. They continued their relationship through college and medical school, marrying on June 21, 1975 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. Valerie and Craig welcomed their son, Thomas Nicolas Nick Robinson, on September 18, 1981. Valerie loved dancing, celebrating with and entertaining friends, and traveling. Her love of travel began when she was an exchange student in Belgium through American Field Service in 1967-1968. She recently obtained her lifelong dream of traveling to Italy and Sicily, embracing her mother's and paternal grandfather's Italian heritage. Valerie's playground was her kitchen, as she had a deep love of cooking and baking for family and friends. Her energy extended outdoors, as she loved to walk and swim, and even learned to trout fish and kayak during her 22-month battle with cancer. Valerie is preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Bea Warren. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Thomas Craig Robinson; son, Thomas Nicholas Robinson and his wife, Andrea; granddaughter, Madeleine Claire Robinson; and siblings, Barbara Butler, Nicki Potts, and Bud Warren. Valerie and Craig are members of First United Methodist Church Lubbock. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at First United Methodist Church, 1411 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas, with Dr. Craig Curry officiating. Entombment will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 24, 2012 at Sanders Funeral Home, 1420 Main ST, Lubbock, TX. Valerie will be forever treasured.