Robert Earl Robinson

Dr. Robert Earl Robinson COLUMBIA - Dr. Robert Earl Robinson, 85, died in Providence Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, August 11, 2012. Born August 3, 1927 in Covington, Kentucky, he was the only child of Adoph Earl and Frances (Rouse) Robinson. Bob grew up in Ludlow, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he became a lifelong fan of the Reds. He graduated as class valedictorian from Ludlow High School in 1944. He attended Berea (KY) College and served in the US Army from 1946 to 1947 before graduating from Berea with a BA in chemistry in 1949. He then earned a PhD in organic chemistry from Purdue University in 1953. During his tenure at Purdue, Bob married Myrtle Caroline Ann Tonne of Brookville, Indiana. Dr. Robinson conducted exploratory organometallic research at National Distillers and Chemical Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1953 to 1964. From 1964 to 1966, he served as Group Leader of Organometallic Development at Stauffer Chemicals in Weston, Michigan. He was then employed by Cardinal Chemicals in Columbia, South Carolina as Director of Research. In 1967, he joined Jules W. Lindau in the founding of Lindau Chemicals, Inc., also in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Robinson became President of Lindau Chemicals in 1986 and held that position until his death. Lindau Chemicals produces specialty organic chemicals, most notably epoxy curing agents and copolymers of styrene with various acrylate esters. Dr. Robinson was awarded some twentyfive U.S. patents, including one for the synthesis of vinyl acetate monomer. This patent forms the basis for all current production of that material in the world today. He published several technical papers and was senior author of two articles in The Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology. In addition, Bob served as Chair of the Small Chemical Company Division of the American Chemical Society for terms beginning in 1993 and 1998. He was elected to the American Institute of Chemists, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, and the New York Academy of Science, and he is listed in Who's Who in America. Bob was also a member of Mensa and The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Dr. Robinson's interests included classical music and study of Sherlock Holmes, the world's greatest detective. He was a strong supporter of the arts in the Midlands. He served on the Board of Directors of both the S.C. Philharmonic Orchestra and the Palmetto Opera and was a member of the Columbia Museum of Art. A member (by invitation) of The Baker Street Irregulars of New York City, Bob contributed several monographs to journals celebrating the career of Sherlock Holmes. The local Sherlock Holmes organization, The Hansom Wheels, was privileged to have him as Program Chairman for over thirty years, during which time he produced thirty plays based on the Arthur Conan Doyle works. An interview with Dr. Robinson about his lifelong fascination with Holmes was recently recorded, and this recording will be archived at Harvard University's Houghton Library. In addition to his wife of 61 years, Myrtle Robinson, Bob is survived by daughters, Linda Robinson of Whitewater, Wisconsin and Carol (Bill) Cranford of Columbia, SC; son, Timothy (Margaret) Robinson of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Robert (Nicole) Cranford and Tom Cranford of Columbia, SC, Carrie Cranford and David Cranford of Charleston, SC, Arthur Robinson, Emma Robinson and Daniel Robinson of Columbia, SC; and greatgrandson, William Robert Cranford of Columbia, SC. Funeral services for Dr. Robinson will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 1:00 PM at the Dunbar Funeral Home, Divine Street Chapel. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Dunbar Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Memorials may be made to the SC Philharmonic Orchestra (www.scphilharmonic.com or 721 Lady Street, Suite B, Columbia, SC 29201) or The Palmetto Opera (P. O. Box 50462, Columbia, SC 29250). Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.