Sander Jay Robins

Dr. Sander (Sandy) Jay Robins, 89, died peacefully on December 21, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara (Bobbi); his children Scott Robins (Mary) and Valerie Price (Howard); and granddaughters Kyra Robins Hannum (Ryan), Emily Robins, Deirdre Robins, Rowen Price (John Kerman), and Fiona Price.

Sandy was born in Trenton, NJ, to Ukranian immigrant Louis Robins and Frances Rosenthal. He was a cross country and track star at Trenton High School, and attended Dartmouth College where he was a proud member of Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity. After graduating in 1958 with a degree in Philosophy, he attended Thomas Jefferson University Medical School in Philadelphia. While he was a medical student, he met local art student Bobbi Meyers at a party and the two married in 1960. They moved from Philadelphia to Boston for Sandy to begin his medical residency in a combined Tufts-BU Medical Center program. He joined the National Public Health Service as a Lieutenant Commander and was stationed in Puerto Rico from 1965-1967. Upon completion of his service, he moved back to New England and began his long career as a gastroenterologist and director of a Lipid Metabolism research lab at the Boston VA hospital. He maintained his lab for 30 years and published over 130 articles and a book, Disorders of Lipid Metabolism. Not quite ready to retire, he returned to clinical work at Boston University's Metabolic Center, helping to manage patients with hyperlipidemia, obesity and heart disease. He also consulted for Fournier Pharma to educate other professionals about cholesterol management. He later became the laboratory director of the Framingham Heart Study, until finally retiring at age 80.

Sandy was a true lover of the arts, with his favorite artist being Bobbi Robins. He had eclectic musical tastes, ranging from classical and opera genres to the Four Seasons, Amy Winehouse and Sinatra. He and Bobbi traveled extensively throughout Europe, Northern Africa and Southeast Asia while he lectured about his work in lipid metabolism. However, his favorite past time was sailing on his yacht The Moveable Feast. If the winds were favorable, he would sail; if not, he was content to just relax on his boat. Drinking wine while anchored in Cuttyhunk harbor was how we will remember our beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

His graveside service was held on Tuesday, December 23, at Pine Grove Cemetery in Westborough.