Timothy P. Robbins

TIMOTHY P. ROBBINS
1938-2008

Timothy P. Robbins of Gulf Breeze went to his eternal reward Saturday morning. It wasn't a grand departure; rather, it was quiet, at last peaceful and supported by his family, friends and the loving, tender and compassionate care of West Florida Covenant Hospice. Tim, as his friends called him, was predeceased in 2002 by the love of his life, Diane, and is survived by his son Christopher Robbins, granddaughter Sierra, and brother, Thomas of Palm Springs, Florida.
Tim was an exceptionally well-read and educated man who could discuss in detail the nuances of a wide range of topics that included economics, politics, aerodynamics, poetry, music, and theology to mention a few. His resonant baritone voice was as pleasing as any professional crooner, and he had a great interest in Big Bands. He enjoyed Big Band music so much that he would chat for hours with Internet friends, share stories and listen to music, and even made an annual trek to Clearwater as part of a Big Band Club fest.
Tim was a religious conservative, social conservative, and an economic conservative. One might even guess that he was a Republican conservative and would be right. He was involved in politics and retired Officer's organizations for a number of years, publishing one organization's monthly newsletter for a period of time.
Among other things, Tim was an unabashed, flag-waving patriot; he loved his country so much that he served it for twenty two years in both the Air Force and Army. To provide balance to his military membership, he married a lovely girl, Diane, who was serving in the US Navy, and finally, one of his closest friends was a retired Marine.
Tim retired as an Army Chief Warrant Officer-3, helicopter pilot for the US Army and later flew for Petroleum Helicopters Incorporated. Tim had over 5000 hours of flight time upon retirement.
Tim or Timmy as many of his friends called him was a native of Massachusetts, born July 7th, 1938. After high school he enlisted in the US Air Force and became an aircraft mechanic. Tim always wanted to fly so at the end of his Air Force enlistment he joined the Army to become a helicopter pilot. During flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas he met his lovely wife, Diane who was in the US Navy at the time.
Tim flew the AH-1G Cobra, OH-58 Kiowa and UH1- Huey during two combat tours in the Vietnam War and Germany. On his second combat tour he was injured by enemy fire that required evacuation to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Chris came along and the family served tours in Germany and Colorado before Tim retired with numerous military awards. Awards included: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal as well as a sheaf of Letters of Commendation.
Their last duty station was Fort Carson, Colorado, which they both loved. After a job search that reached across the country, they decided to settle in Gulf Breeze, Florida and Tim commuted to his job with Petroleum Helicopter's Incorporated in Louisiana for 15 years before retiring for medical reasons.
After his retirement he was encouraged by Captain Russell Sullivan, USCGR (Ret) to become involved in Jim Paul's Campaign for Congress in 1994. Thereafter he worked in the Regional Office of the State Comptroller in Pensacola and later for District 10 of the Department of Children and Families in Fort Lauderdale. In everything Tim undertook he applied his considerable knowledge, experience, common sense and ironic humor.
He prematurely left DCF in 1999, returning to Pensacola to care for Diane before her death in 2002.
Now, six years later, Tim has joined her with all the host of Heaven. He will undoubtedly join that glorious Choir and lend his voice to the chorus of millions singing God's praises throughout eternity.
To know Tim was to love him; and that is precisely how those who were privileged to know him personally feel.
Now, you too have a brief glimpse of this gentle giant of a man who was the embodiment of all things good, an American Patriot.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, August 22, 2008 at 10:45 in the Oak Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.
OAK LAWN FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.
The family will receive family and friends on Friday, August 22, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until service time.