Edward Bruner Robinson

On Saturday, June 22, 2013, Edward B. Robinson (Captain Ed) of Niceville, FL, formerly of Destin, FL, passed away peacefully at home after an extended illness, with his wife Jan by his side. Ed was born October 20, 1928 in Montgomery, AL. He was raised on a farm in Burkeville, AL. With the nation at war and his two older brothers serving their country he wanted to do his part so at the age of 15 Ed lied about his age and joined the Merchant Marines where, never having been on a boat before, he was assigned to an ocean going tug boat traveling to the Panama Canal zone. When he was of age, he joined the Army Air Corps where he trained as a tail gunner on a B-29. After the war Ed went to work in Atlanta, Georgia for Georgia Tech as a photographer where he documented experiments in the engineering labs and later worked with Coach Bobby Dodd taking photos during football games. After ten years in Georgia, Ed returned home to Montgomery, Alabama where he went to work for the Montgomery Advertiser. Ed was sports photographer for Coach Paul Bear Bryant and took the first of photos of Joe Namath on campus and iconic photos of the Bear standing in houndstooth cap leaning against the goal post which has been widely circulated. During the 1960’s, his photographs of George and Lurleen Wallace, Bobby Kennedy, police dogs attacking protesters, and policeman turning fire hoses on the rioters were picked up by the Associated Press and appeared in newspapers nationwide, as well as, Stars and Stripes in Europe and Life Magazine. Weary with the turmoil in Montgomery, Ed moved to Destin, Florida where he purchased the Dreams Inn and later the Sailfish Motel. He earned his captains license and owned the charter boat Three-L’s. After selling his motels and charter boat, Captain Ed ran the private yacht, Ballyhoo, where he fished billfish tournaments from New Orleans to Apalachicola for over twenty years. In 1995 when the changes to Destin got too much to handle, he moved to Niceville, FL. Ed had a passion for classic automobiles, especially his all-steel 1934 Ford street rod. He was a regular at area car shows both as a participant and a spectator. At age 73, not satisfied with retirement, he went to work as a driver for Hertz where he stayed until mid-2012 when illness forced him to retire. Ed was also a huge NASCAR and University of Alabama football fan. Roll Tide!

Ed is predeceased by his son Captain Neil Robinson of Destin, FL; parents George and Mera Robinson, sisters Elizabeth Tyler, Patricia Bush, Betty Summerlin and brother Neil Robinson, all of Montgomery, AL; and brother EW Robinson of Las Vegas, NV.

Ed leaves behind his wife and best friend of 32 years, Jan; daughters Robin Robinson-Huss, Laura Palumbo and Katrina Parish of Orlando, FL; stepchildren Jennifer Barton-Blevins of Winder, GA; Michael Barton of Aurora, IL; and Kevin Barton of Marquette, MI; as well as, ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his faithful companion Rocky.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Schroeder and his staff and Covenant Hospice for their loving care and support.

Arrangements are entrusted to White Chapel funeral home in Montgomery, AL where he will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 11:00 am. Per Ed’s wishes there will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, Ed requested donations to PAWS, 752 Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 or Alaqua Animal Refuge, 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, FL 32439.