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BORN
1929
DIED
2021
William Robinson Obituary
On a warm and breezy night, under a full moon, our dad and grandpa passed away peacefully at home, April 26, 2021. His last days were full of love and family. William J. Robinson was born in Erie, PA on February 19, 1929. He served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953. Bill's love of the desert and for archaeology brought him to the University of Arizona where he received a PhD in Anthropology. Over 30 years as a professor and, ultimately, Director of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Bill helped advance the use of dendrochronology to study archaeological sites throughout the Southwest and the United States. After retirement, Bill loved to travel, bird, and spend countless hours researching our family's genealogy. Bill was preceded in death by Priscilla, in 2013, after 56 years of marriage. He is survived by Peter Robinson (Deb Gardener), Betsey Robinson and his four beloved grandchildren, Ben, Graham, Rachel and Ethan. A celebration of life for both Bill and Priscilla will be held at a later date. Contact Betsey at [email protected] for more information.
Memories and Condolences
for William Robinson
3 Entries
James Neely
May 30, 2022
Bill was one of my mentors when I entered the University of Arizona Graduate School in Anthropology. He became a friend and colleague that I could always depend on for good advice. His passing is a personal loss to me, and a loss to Anthropology/Archaeology as well!!
Steve Hayden
June 9, 2021
So many times, as a youngster, I enjoyed the visits from Bill & Priscilla in the mesquitera, listening to him and Dad (Julian) spin yarns and plans! A couple of new mesquites will get planted out back, in that memory.
James Neely
June 9, 2021
Paso por aqui! Bill was one of my closest friends during my time in Graduate School at the University of Arizona.
He was a quiet spoken scholar that will be sorely missed!
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