Harry Neil Robinson

Harry Neil Robinson of Sylacauga and Birmingham, AL, passed away on April, 16, 2012, at age 71. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Christine Fuller; his stepfather, W.E. Fuller; his father, George H. Robinson; sister, Peggy Fitts; and brother, Bobby Robinson. Surviving are his son, Taylor Robinson; his daughter, Karen Hinch; granddaughters, Taylor and Savannah Hinch; grandsons, Luke, Jacob, and Nathan Robinson; his sisters, Sara Jo Roberts, and Nan Fowler and her husband, David Fowler, all of Birmingham; his brother, Don Robinson and wife Brenda; as well as four nieces, four nephews, one great niece, one great great niece, and one great nephew. Harry attended Sylacauga High School where he played bass drum. He joined the Army National Guard in 1955 where he was a cook for his unit and became well known for his cobblers. During one cold and wet field trip he saw a helicopter land with a well rested and clean pilot get out and he decided that was better than being a cook in a tank unit. In 1962 he was commissioned a Warrant Officer then completed helicopter flight school. Harry spent 45 years in the National Guard and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer W-5. His early flying career included the oil fields off shore of Louisiana and as a flight instructor at Fort Rucker teaching helicopter pilots in the mid to late 1960’s. In the Guard he flew a wide variety of aircraft from the small OH-6 Loach up to the large CH-54 Sky Crane accumulating several thousand flight hours. Along with flying Guard helicopters he trained the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department pilots, was Chief Pilot flying Carraway Methodist Hospital Lifesaver, and flew with HealthSouth. He loved to teach others to fly and to share his love of flight and his professionalism touched many people in and out of the aviation community. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the “Redneck” Sunday school class. Visitation will be Thursday, April 19th 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. at Curtis & Son North Chapel. The service will follow at 11:00A.M. in the Chapel. Reverend Keith Pugh of Tuscaloosa will conduct the service and music by Charles Foster. The pallbearer and honorary pallbearers will be the Army National Guardsmen who served with him. Members of the “Redneck” Sunday School Class will also serve as pallbearers. The family will accept flowers or donations to the Alzheimer Foundation. Curtis and Son North Chapel will direct the services.