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FUNERAL HOME

Plaza Jewish Community Chapel

630 Amsterdam Avenue

New York, New York

EDWIN ROBBINS Obituary

Name: Service for EDWIN ROBBINS
Start: 2025-02-04T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Plaza Jewish Community Chapel

ROBBINS--Edwin Sidney, M.D. Aged 99, January 31, 2025. Predeceased by wife, Lillian, lovingly remembered by children Hallie, Russell (Valerie); grandchildren Brian (Valmai), Cliff, Celia. Service Tuesday, February 4, 2pm, Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Ave.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Feb. 2, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for EDWIN ROBBINS

14 Entries

Dr. Isaac Herschkopf

September 4, 2025

We were saddened to learn belatedly of Ed's passing.
Ed was, chronologically, my teacher, my colleague and, most importantly, my friend. He worked closely with Dr. Marvin Stern who mentored me. I often had the honor of covering his patients when he was away. He always saved a seat for me next to him at the Medical Center Board of Governors dinners because I usually arrived later than him after seeing patients. When he was honored by our Alumni Association, he allowed me the honor of introducing him. There were so many wonderful things to say about him, I had to repeatedly re-edit my remarks or the evening wouldn't end before dawn.
We frequently referred patients to each other, even members of our family because there was no one I trusted more.
He, and his beloved Lillian, were like members of our family. We shared the best of times and the worst. Our life is emptier for their absence.
With great respect, and love, Becky and Ike Herschkopf

Nic Moore car accident survivor

May 5, 2025

helped a lot of people I knew he was going to live long. Rest well my good honest one!

Jacquelyn Gioia

March 28, 2025

Dr. Robbins was my best friend.
He taught me a lot and he was so quick witted. We chatted every week.
I am so sorry for the family´s loss.

Annamarie Donovan

February 16, 2025

Dear Hallie, Russell and Family,

My sincere sympathies on the passing of your dear father, Ed.
If I did not already believe in communication from our loved ones when they pass this earth, today I am truly certain of it.
I met your mother and father in August 2008 when we all attended The Oxford Round Table at Oxford University, Oxford England. We were Guest Lecturers and participated in the session on Women´s Leadership in Politics and the Professions.
It was a delightful and vibrant group for five days and one of the best I ever attended. I was also from New York (Long Island) so the three of us got along famously. After the Oxford adventure, your parents and I kept in touch with each other.
I was deeply saddened when Ed notified me that Lillian had passed in 2009. He was devastated.
After that, Ed and I sporadically kept in touch, both of us being busy still practicing (I´m a NY attorney).

The last time I heard from him was in November 2020. Which gets me to my second sentence up top. I have frequently thought of him since then.
This morning, I was going through some old correspondence in my office and found his letter of 11-5-20. As usual, it was a vibrant summary of what he was up to, and he advised that "Today I reached the unbelievable age of 95, which seems like a miracle, especially since I am still pretty good physically....". He goes on to say that he gave up "...ballroom dancing except to practice..."

With a big smile on my face, reading his words, I went to Google his name, and, alas, I read that my dear friend Ed passed just two weeks ago.
The whole sequence of events convinces me that Ed sent a message to me today that he is fine where he is and that he is reunited with Lillian and shaking things up in heaven.
I know this is long but wanted to share what beautiful parents you have. While here, they were a bright light to all and made the world a better place.
May your memories of your parents be a blessing.

Annamarie Donovan
Scottsdale, AZ

Annamarie Donovan

February 15, 2025

Stephanie Warm

February 5, 2025

Dear Hallie, Russ, and your families,
Your father lived an incredible life. It is clear that he touched many people's lives. I have a memory of visiting him and your mother in their country house when I was a child, and I remember that your father taught me how to separate an egg. Prior to that, I had not known that that was something that one does! I also remember attending Thanksgiving gatherings as a child. My sister and I would receive big chocolate turkeys wrapped in foil before we left, and we would promptly eat them as soon as we arrived home afterward. Your father also lit a candle at my Bat Mitzvah. I also really appreciate that your father published about and worked with psychotic patients, a demographic that many people avoid (I Googled and found a paper of his from 1966, among others.) I hope that you'll take comfort in having had your father around for so many years; however, it's such a heavy loss. Take care of yourselves.

Irene Barbazetto

Planted Trees

Hallie Robbins

February 3, 2025

Edwin "Ed/Dad/Grandpa" Robbins, MD, passed away on January 31, 2025, at the age of 99 after a brief illness. Born in 1925, he lived a remarkable life filled with dedication to his family, profession, and passions. Ed Robbins was predeceased in 2009 by his beloved wife, Lillian Cukier Robbins, PhD. He cherished time spent with his family, including Hallie Robbins, DO; Russ Robbins, MD and Valerie Rosenson; and his grandchildren Brian (Valmai), Cliff, and Celia. Together they shared many joyful moments celebrating his love for reading, baking, ballroom dancing, poetry-writing, cultural and outdoor activities, travel, and festive gatherings. In good spirits and fiercely independent until his final days, Ed lived at home (joined by Hallie in 2021). Family and friends visited Ed bedside as he briefly rallied in the hospital. How wonderful it was when he gazed into our eyes, held hands, smiled and even said: "I love you very much!"A proud Veteran of World War II, Dr. Robbins served in the U.S. Navy before pursuing higher education at New York University for college, medical school and residency before joining the NYU Medical Faculty as a Psychiatrist. His distinguished career as physician-mentor included roles as Director of Psychiatric Emergency before becoming Associate Director at Bellevue Hospital, then clinician at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, while maintaining a thriving private practice until the age of 93. Known for his expertise and compassion, he was admired by colleagues for his thoughtful contributions (often accompanied by homemade cakes), respected by residents for his mentorship, and trusted by patients for his exceptional care. He and Lillian furthered their lifelong conversation in personal and professional capacities through their research, authorship, and collaboration regarding many psychiatric-social psychology topics, presentations, and professorship. Thanks for all your years of convivial collegiality with Ed/Dad, research with Lillian and Ed, and insightful exchanges. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 4, at 2 pm at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Avenue (between 90th and 91st Streets), New York City. The online link to the 2 pm Funeral Service is available on the Plaza JC Chapel website https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82966628721 Ed Robbins leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and dedication that will continue to inspire all who knew him. May his memory be for a blessing to those whose lives he touched.

Hallie Robbins

February 3, 2025

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82966628721 For online access

Hallie Robbins

February 3, 2025

Hallie Robbins

February 2, 2025

Edwin S. Robbins, MD
1925 - 2025

Hallie Robbins

February 2, 2025

Hello - If you are unable to attend the service in person, please go to the Plaza JC Chapel website for REMOTE ONLINE ACCESS. Tues Feb 4 @ 2 pm.

Saran Jonas, MD, Professor Emeritus of Neurology, NYU-Grossman School of Me

February 2, 2025

I knew Ed during years of professional association. He was a wise and empathic practitioner and teacher of psychiatry, highly respected by his colleagues, students, and patients.

Robert Herman, M.D.

February 2, 2025

Dr. Robbins was my boss in my first job as an inpatient attending psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital. He was warm and nurturing. He told me I was a fine psychiatrist but my handwriting was terrible; he encouraged me to type my notes. I bought a typewriter and have typed all my notes since then.
Later I moved to Maryand and would come up to New York to attend the NYU Annual Psychopharmacology Conference. He sat next to me in the front row, and in between presentations he would tell me stories about Bellevue in the days before we had any psychiatrist medications. He was a giant in the field of psychiatry and also a kind warm and caring physician and mentor to many . May he rest from his labors, and his works live on after him. Warm regards to his family.

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