TRAVERSE CITY — Robert Manson Robbins went to be with the Lord on Feb. 6, 2013. He passed away in his daughter's home in Tennessee under her care. Robert was born May 23, 1920, in Traverse City, the son of Elisha Bevier Robbins and Julia (Iverson) Robbins.
He graduated from Traverse City High School in 1938.
He married Mary Ellen Colestock on Jan. 9, 1943. Mary Ellen preceded him in death on April 25, 1983.
Robert served in the United States Marines from July 1, 1943, to May 9, 1946, as a Second Lieutenant. He was part of the invasion force of Japan which never occurred because the war ended while his transport ship was in transit. He was stationed in Japan until the end of his tour of duty.
Robert attended college at Michigan State University. With his studies interrupted by World War II he continued afterward, transferring to the University of Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1947 from the U of M.
Robert went on for a career at General Electric, retiring in 1982.
He was a member of Greenfield Presbyterian Church in Berkley, Mich., since 1948. He served as an Elder there for many years. When he became a resident of Florida in 1982, he joined the Saint Paul's Presbyterian Church, North Port. With his engineering background, he was active in wiring their new building, along with other planning activities for that project.
He enjoyed boating vacations on the Great Lakes, taking his family on yearly vacations, camping, fishing and hunting. He was a snowbird, driving to Traverse City each summer and to North Port, Fla., each fall.
Robert is survived by his son, Gregory Robbins; and daughter, Janice O'Connor. Also surviving are his brother, Jack; sister-in-law, Mildred Colestock, of California; and many loving nieces and nephews in Michigan, Florida and California.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen in 1983; and his daughter, Julia Ellen Yates on Jan. 22, 2004. His sisters, Margaret Brinkman and Jayne Fisher; and brother, Jim, also preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be scheduled for June in Traverse City.
Archive: Sunday
Robert Manson Robbins
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Oryana celebrates 40 years in business
In the early 1970s, a small group of Traverse City families got together to drive to Ann Arbor and purchase the grains and beans they couldn’t find locally.
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Leelanau Birding Festival runs May 29-June 2
Robert Parsons has traveled to Texas, Arizona, Florida and even Costa Rica to seek out unusual birds. Now Parsons is adding Michigan to that list.
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Editorial: Airport should give vets prominent recognition
The issue: Cherry Capital relegates veterans sign to luggage area. Our view: Either do it right or not at all.
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New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
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St. Francis rolls to regional track crown
The St. Francis girls set two school records, won 10 events and qualified 10 to the state meet en route to capturing the 17-team Division 4 regional track title Saturday at Brethren.
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Chamber View: Multiple opportunities for learning
The people who make up our local business community often wear many hats – boss, line worker, ambassador, bookkeeper, mentor … the list goes on.
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Sand in his veins: Mountz has 38 years at Sleeping Bear
Tom Mountz is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s longest-serving employee. He can’t think of one other place in the world he would rather work.
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Benzie extends track championship streaks
Benzie Central’s seniors kept their regional streaks intact Saturday at East Jordan.
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Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
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Letters to the Editor: 05/19/2013
Franz unresponsive; No Russian roulette.
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Kathy Gibbons: Time to say goodbye — once again
It’s been three years since I’ve actually lived here full-time in the summer. This year will mark the fourth.
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Beach Bums fall in Joliet, 6-3
Catcher Grant DeBruin went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs Saturday night as the Joliet Slammers made it two straight over the Traverse City Beach Bums, 6-3.
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Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
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Forum: Clean energy, energy forums crucial
Developing a long-term energy plan and investing in clean energy is crucial to Michigan’s future. Gov. Rick Snyder’s recent energy forums are important first steps in developing such a plan.
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Antrim officials make headway with meth convictions
Antrim County authorities answered a spike in methamphetamine activity with a series of arrests and convictions that they believe should send a message to meth producers and users.
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Jack Lessenberry: Pleasing voters not a priority
Once upon a time, legislators felt they had to try to give voters the laws they wanted. True, once in a great while. some took stands on principle that risked angering their constituents.
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Prep Sports Roundup: Trojans defend home diamond
Ron Dohm pitched a one-hit shutout Saturday as Traverse City Central captured its own baseball tournament with a 4-0 win over Muskegon Oakridge. (Plus more)
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Benzie drug death leads to heroin charges
Authorities filed drug-dealing charges against a suburban Detroit man after a suspected heroin overdose death in Benzie County.
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Terry Wooten: One poem leads to another — and friendship
I was watching my own kids ride a miniature tilt-a-whirl, when I heard this old man yell, “MIMI SIT DOWN!” I looked around to see who Mimi was, and there was this little carney girl slouched on a plastic chair on a merry-go-round.
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Students recognized for math club performance
Thirty math-hungry East Middle School students recently made history. The group of seventh- and eighth-graders was the first at the school to achieve national gold level status for a club called MathCounts.
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Business Memoranda: 05/19/2013
Custer Workplace Interiors has added Emily Heilig to its northern Michigan sales team.
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Business in Brief: 05/19/2013
Become a contractor; Solar projec tbeing offered; MMC joins Spectrum. (Plus more)
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Births: 05/19/2013
MILLER — A son, Elijah Thomas, to Tom and Amy (McNeil) Miller of Lake Ann, March 28.
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Local Sports Events: 05/19/2013
Golf outings and sports camps across northern Michigan:
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Building Permits: 05/19/2013
Building permits issued in Grand Traverse County:
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Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
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Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
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Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
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The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
