Arboretum Foundation Acknowledges Passing of Long-time Friend Jack Robins
Jack Robins.
The Foundation would like to acknowledge the passing of a dear friend of the Arboretum, Jack Robins. He died peacefully on Thursday, September 10, at the age of 95. A member of the Arboretum Foundation since 1970, Jack served on our board of directors for eight years (1995 to 2003) and played an influential role in the development of the 2001 Arboretum Master Plan. He was also a founding member of Arboretum Unit 52, the “couples unit,” which was deeply involved with volunteering at our spring plant sale. Jack’s colorful reminiscences about Unit 52 were featured in a recent article in the Bulletin, “Foundation Units and the Arboretum Legacy” (WPA Bulletin, Vol. 75, Winter 2015).
John L. “Jack” Robins was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and raised in Canton, New York and Conway, New Hampshire. Following graduation from St. Lawrence University in 1941, he served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. He then attended Harvard Business School before heading west to Seattle. He married the love of his life, Charlotte Small, in 1951. He is survived by his wife, his four children Sara (David), Katy, Gary (Ike) and Amy (Tom), seven grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Jack spent most of his professional life as a senior executive with Simpson Timber Company. He devoted his volunteer time to the Children’s Home Society of Washington, the Arboretum Foundation, and Plymouth Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hiking, skiing, and sailing with friends and family. The last five years of his life were devoted to writing.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Home Society of Washington, Arboretum Foundation, or Plymouth Church.
A celebration of Jack’s life is planned for November 22, 2015 at Horizon House.
For more on Jack’s life, click here.
