John Robins

1947 - 2024

John Robins
07/09/1947 - 12/23/2024
With deep sadness we announce the passing of John Robins on December 23, 2024, at the age of 77. John was born and raised in Redwood City and predeceased by his parents, Phyllis and Edward Robins and his sister, Judi Brush. He graduated from Sequoia High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from San Francisco State University with a degree in history.
During college, John learned the liquor and wine business working at a small liquor store in San Francisco. Soon after graduating from college he moved to Menlo Park, and became the Manager at Beltramo's, a fine wine and liquor store in Atherton which sparked a deep and life-long interest in wine and food.
He made a major career shift in the 1980s, joining IBEW Local 617 (San Mateo County) first as an apprentice, graduating top of his class, and after completing the 5-year Apprenticeship Program, he worked as a journeyman electrician for 40 years. While still working on job sites throughout San Mateo County, John became an apprenticeship teacher for the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) for San Mateo County, teaching for 21 years and touching the lives of over 500 apprentice electricians.
John retired in 2019 and devoted time to woodworking, travel, reading, cooking, and wine tasting. He built boxes, cutting boards and vases, mostly as gifts that he generously gave to friends and family. John's favorite travel destination was the Big Island of Hawaii, and he avidly collected Aloha shirts. He read widely and obsessively, and friends recall a great deal of book recommendations on a huge variety of subjects.
John is survived by his loving family, his devoted wife, Mary of 44 years, his daughters, Lisa Robins (Ken Wagstaff), Amy MacClain (Ben Schick), his grandson, Sam Schick and former wife, Pat James. His love of family and friends and his kind spirit will be deeply missed by a legion of friends from Sequoia High School (Class of 1965), IBEW Local 617, and many who shared meals highlighting food and wine from all over the world.
A Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, March 23, at Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto at noon, followed by and informal reception to share stories, meet new friends and have refreshments. John planned to go to Hawaii in February, so feel free to wear your favorite Aloha attire to the celebration! In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to KQED or Planned Parenthood in his memory.