Robert "Robby" Ernest Robinson

Robert (Robby) Robinson was the second of 7 children of Samuel E. and Bessie L. ( Miller) Robinson. He was born in Redfield, IA November 30, 1923, moved to Stuart in 1924 and was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church. He attended school in Casey, IA before moving to Guthrie Center in 1940 where he graduated from High School in 1941. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on April 10, 1945, and during World War II was stationed in the Pacific Theater receiving his honorable discharge on December 5, 1946. Robert was honored to be a part of the Heartland Honor Flight that toured Washington D.C. in May 2008 honoring WWII vets. He will be laid to rest in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA.
On August 23, 1950, he was married to Bernice M. Kommes in Maryville, MO. Three children were born to this union; Bill, Janice and Judy and the family made their home in Exira, IA.
Robert was able to stay in his home until recently and became a resident of the Exira Care Center on March 30, 2016. He passed away at the Audubon County Hospital on Saturday, April 9, 2016.
From 1948 to 1955, Robert was employed at the Exira Creamery, the Exira Purina Feed Company and at the Audubon County Treasurer’s Office as Deputy Treasurer. In February 1959, he was elected as the Audubon County Recorder. In February 1960, he started with Exchange State Bank in Exira as Cashier, later serving as Vice President and retired in 1989. Robert served on the Board of Directors for many years and continued that service until recently.
Robert stayed active in many other activities. He was a real estate broker in the area since 1960. He was a member of American Legion Ballou Post #332 since 1946 and served as Commander, Adjutant and Finance Officer. Robert served as a member of the Exira Fire Department for 37 years, serving 34 years as Secretary and Treasurer. He served on the Exira Community School Board for over ten years, 6 of those as Vice President of the Board. His service also included time with the Audubon County Board of Health, the Jury Commission and as Chairman of the March of Dimes.
In 1954 he was stricken with polio and was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs for several months. His prognosis was that he would never walk again, however, through his determination and many hours of physical therapy, he overcame those odds.
Robert loved baseball and played with the Exira Town team for a number of years until contracting polio and then was named manager for several years. He and his wife clerked auctions for several years. Robert was also a huge Iowa Hawkeye and Cleveland Indians fan who loved golfing, fishing, dancing, playing cribbage and cards.
Preceding him in death: his parents, Samuel and Bessie Robinson; brothers, Donald Robinson and Paul Robinson; sister Marjorie Slaybaugh; sisters-in-law Joyce Robinson, Dolores Robinson, Elaine Kommes, and Valissa Kommes; brothers-in-law, Bruce Parks, Gale Graves, Vern Slaybaugh, Ambrose Kommes and Tony Kommes, and nephews, Michael Joyce, John Joyce, Doug Kommes, and James Kommes.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years Bernice of Exira, IA; children Bill (Debra) Robinson of Oakland, IA; Janice Shepard of Van Meter, IA; and Judy (Kevin) Ernst of Van Meter, IA. Grandchildren include Jennifer (Ken) Johnston of Western Springs, IL; Michael (Kristen) Robinson of Ankeny, IA; Amanda Kahl of Iowa City, IA; William Shepard of West Des Moines, IA; Kaytlyn and Zachary Ernst of Van Meter, IA. Three great grandsons Miles and Nathan Johnston of Western Springs, IL and Emmitt Robinson of Ankeny, IA. Sisters Mary (Gerald) Joyce of Grand Forks, ND; Betty Parks of Milford, IA; Patricia Graves of Orlando, FL; sister-n-law Geraldine Kommes of Exira, IA; several nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Father Chris Fontinini on Friday, April 22, 2016, at 12:00 P.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. Inurnment will be Friday at 9:30 A.M. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Miles Johnston, Emmitt Robinson, and Nathan Johnston. The casket bearers will be Bill Robinson, Jennifer Johnston, Michael Robinson, William Shepard, Amanda Kahl, Kaytlyn Ernst, and Zachary Ernst. The family will meet with friends Friday morning from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa.