Paul Ward Robinett M.D.

1921 - 2013

Paul Ward Robinett, M.D.
Portsmouth - Paul Robinett passed away peacefully on August 5, 2013 after a long illness. He was born July 30, 1921 in Huntington, W. Va. to Dr. John Hugh Robinett and Margaret Mae Thomas. There he attended public schools and Marshall University. Upon graduation from Marshall in 1942, he went on to pursue his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and graduated in 1945. During this time he met his future wife, Shirley Harwood Kersey and was married on December 31, 1945.
After serving in the U.S. Army on a hospital ship in the Philippines following World War II, he returned to Virginia to complete medical residency requirements and a fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia. In 1954 he moved his family to Portsmouth, Va. to establish a private practice in general surgery that spanned 32 years. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and served on the staff of both Maryview and Portsmouth General Hospitals. He was also very active in his community, serving in multiple leadership positions with his churches, Broad Street Methodist and Centenary United Methodist Church, the United Way, and the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth. He was a board member of the Portsmouth Chapter of the American Red Cross and a founding board member of the Portsmouth Public Schools Foundation. He was also a Freemason with the Scottish Rite Temple.
In 2000, Paul and Shirley moved to the Hermitage at Cedarfield in Richmond, where they attended Shady Grove United Methodist Church. They made many wonderful new friends and particularly enjoyed having the entire family come to see them for an annual family gathering.
Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, his daughter, Suzanne R. Duck, his sister, Elizabeth R. Krahler, and his special friend, Gladys Applegate.
He is survived by his three sons, P. Ward Robinett Jr. (Bruce), John E. Robinett (Donna), James B. Robinett (Rhonda), and a son-in-law Sidney J. Duck III (Mary Sue). He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Kimberly D. Keim (Scott), Elaine D. Young (David), Katharine R. Holley (Adrian), J. Gregory Robinett (Diana), J. Cameron Robinett, and Blair and Kayley Robinett. Also surviving are his eight great grandchildren, Morgan and Peyton Symmers, Susannah Keim, Ethan and Shelby Young, Ava and Darcy Robinett, and John Austin Holley.
Paul was the epitome of a southern gentleman and lived his life with integrity and distinction. He leaves a remarkable legacy of love and caring that will be forever cherished by his family and all that knew him.
His grandson, Cameron Robinett, recently wrote in tribute to him: "With no beginning and no end, the circle of life is simply the reflection of eternity. We celebrate your 92 years with us, DD, through the eyes of your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren."
As such a memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2013, at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall of The Hermitage at Cedarfield, 2300 Cedarfield Parkway, Richmond, VA. The family will greet friends immediately following the service.
A devout, life long Christian, Paul gave generously of his time, talents, and treasures to always help others. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703, Eastern Virginia Medical School, P. O. Box 1980, Norfolk, VA 23501, Southeastern Virginia Community Foundation, 5800 High Street West, Portsmouth, VA 23703, or charity of choice.