In Loving Memory…
Richard Garner Robinson was born on June 28, 1943 to Meredith (Bill) Garner and Phyllis Robinson. He attended Shelby-Tennant School where he was involved in sports, and graduated in 1962. Following graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years during the Vietnam War. May 1, 1965 he married high school sweetheart Connie Babbitt. Rich was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, where their first son Richard Shane was born in 1966. Following his service to the Air Force, Rich and Connie returned to Shelby, Iowa where he farmed with Babbitt R & B for over 19 years. They were blessed with two more children in 1969 and 1970, Bradley Garner and Kristi Renee. Kristi was the first girl born into the Robinson family in 80 years. Their family was further blessed and surprised when Shauna Dawn arrived in April 1979. Though they thought their family was complete, in 1984 God blessed and shocked them with the arrival of Danielle Maye.
Rich enjoyed golf, fishing, camping and hunting. He had a real love for horses, carpentry and watching any sporting event; especially the Chiefs, Royals, Hawkeyes and Cyclones (in no particular order). But without a doubt, his first loves were his wife, 5 children and 7 grandchildren.
In 1998 Rich, Connie and Danielle moved to Gardner, KS where Rich worked with his son Brad at Robinson Home Building. When Rich’s health issues no longer allowed him to participate in some of the things he enjoyed, he found a new joy in connecting with family and friends through his computer, iPad, Facebook, and FaceTime. Rich resided at Golden Living Center in Spring Hill, KS for two years. During that time Rich developed an extended family who loved and cared for him.
Rich spent his last two days with his mother, his wife, and the rest of his loving family. He blessed them with his smiles, conversation, and even enjoying some of his favorite food. Rich passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on November 21, 2012 at the Olathe, KS Medical Center. Rich was 69 years old.
He was preceded in death by his dad, and those he leaves to celebrate his life are his wife of 47 years, Connie, their five children: Shane and his partner Roxanne, Brad and his son Preston, Kristi and her husband Haeven and their children Makenzie and Brennon, Shauna and her son P.J., Danielle and her husband Casey and their children Jordyn, Davis and Drew. Also, his mother Phyllis and his brothers: Rod and wife Margaret, Dave and wife Judy, Doug and wife Marci, Bob and wife Judy. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and endless friends.
Though Rich’s family feels their time with him was too short, they feel so blessed for the time they had and unconditional love he gave them. Throughout their lives they always viewed him as a strong man, but as Rich battled health issues for the last 9 years of his life, he taught his family a whole new meaning of the word “strength”. In typical Papa fashion, some of the last advice he gave to everyone was simply, “Just Love”.
Please email Shane Robinson with any questions you may have.