Fern Hohman Robinson

1924 - 2018

Robinson, Fern Hohman
Proud Woman Veteran and a Fighter to the End

Fern Hohman Robinson died on August 29, 2018 in Guatemala at the age of 93 of pulmonary fibrosis. A long term resident of New Haven, she graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.S. and an M.S. in Political Science focusing on Central and Eastern European Studies. She was awarded three Fulbright grants for summer studies in Romania, the Soviet Union and Poland as part of her degree program. Fern was also named Woman of the Year by the American Association of University Women and nominated to Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges in 1976.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 10, 1924, Fern June Hohman joined the Women's Air Force in 1949, becoming a certified psychiatric social worker. She met her husband, Captain David Livingstone Robinson, while assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base outside San Francisco, CA. They were married at the Presidio in 1951. She was later a diplomat's wife in the Middle East and South America and a world traveler through Asia, Europe and Central America.
Fern taught for many years in the New Haven school system and also worked at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Yale University. She was the founder of Cultural Arts for a Single Society (CASS), which she established to promote participation in the rich cultural life of the Greater New Haven area. She resided for many years on McKinley Avenue in Westville and loved gardening and listening to classical music. In her later years, Fern retired to Northampton, MA, spending winters in Guatemala.

Fern is survived by her three children, Alice Robinson of Austin, TX; Scott Robinson of Colombo, Sri Lanka and Nancy Robinson of Lima, Peru; seven grandchildren; and her dear sister-in-law Rosemary Hohman of Bethany, CT. Fern had originally moved to New Haven in the 1940s to be closer to her brother, Robert D. Hohman, a cadet at Yale.

Fern's family would also like to reflect on her as a person, because her life accomplishments only tell part of the story. Fern was otherworldly. Anyone who knew her would agree.

Fern was a feminist. Fern was born ahead of her times in many respects. She prided herself for being independent at a time when women were expected to be sheltered. At 17 she left home and began working in predominantly male-dominated fields. She joined the Air Force just one year after they began accepting women. Even after she married and had children, she fervently held onto her independence and individuality. She was determined to be her own person. She took night classes to earn her master's degree. She ran her own business. She made her ideas known, regardless of whether it made others uncomfortable - in fact, all the better if they did. She was a champion for justice and equality and also organized other women to raise their voices and make themselves heard. Her family deeply regrets that she did not live to see a woman become President of the United States.

Fern was fearless and courageous. She consistently challenged the confines of her society and felt invigorated doing so. She was ready to roll up her sleeves and march to battle on a moment's notice. She not only stood up for herself - she also stood up for others. She never stopped questioning the world around her, but would never let anyone question her value or self-worth. She forged her own path in life and never looked back.

Fern was a leader. She had a magnetic personality that drew people in within seconds. One conversation with her, and you were drawn in for a lifetime. One look into her piercingly confident blue eyes, and you would follow her to the end of the earth. Her insatiable curiosity and desire to know the world and everyone in it was infectious. She inspired others to see the world differently and to live fully and in appreciation of each other. She was unwavering in her values and convictions. When Fern spoke, people listened, because whatever she had to say would most certainly be worth hearing.

Fern was a friend. Fern was happiest when surrounded by her friends. She would proudly recount how many friends from different backgrounds and cultures she had in various pockets of the world. Her address book was filled with contact information of people from Australia, to Turkey, to Germany, to the Czech Republic, to France, to Algeria, and beyond... It would not come as a surprise if she had a friend or two in Timbuktu. Over the years, hundreds of academics from across the globe passed through her colonial house in New Haven. Unbeknownst to them, they were gaining lifelong membership into the Fern Society, a transcendental experience that left an indelible mark on everyone who had the fortune of stumbling upon it. Fern was a true cultural ambassador. She loved being alive.

In remembering Fern, it is only pertinent to include the voices of some of Fern's friends and family:

"At an event last week, we were asked to close our eyes for a few seconds and think of someone who has inspired us most. I saw Fern."

"Fern was bigger than life during parts of all our lives. She lived life to the hilt, read prodigiously, and tried everything. Fern was a force to be reckoned with. She loved collaring politicians in person or in writing. And she would talk to anyone about anything. She was one of a kind!"

"There are some words and phrases that were all too characteristic of our dear Fern: 'Holy Smokes,' 'Isn't that interesting,' 'fascinating,' and 'hilarious.' Open, positive, energetic words - just like Fern."

"She made a lifelong impact on me to be curious and to appreciate culture."
"The professor was talking, and Fern popped up on the other side of the room and said, 'Well, what about the women?' I was on the other side of the class, but I knew I recognized a feminist."

Those wishing to contact the family can do so by email at fernhrobinson2018@gmail.com