Robert Phillip Robinson

His first home was a Tar Paper Shack in the Three Sands oil field in Northern Oklahoma. He became a Cowboy at age five when his Daddy gave him his first horse, a half Shetland which he named “Tony.” He had rheumatic fever at age 10 and spent two years in the fifth grade while he recovered. He had a Strawberry Roan horse for a few weeks before the family moved from the oil field to the town of Tonkawa. He attained the rank of Star Scout in Boy Scouts.

He was in two stage plays during high school and had three jobs at one time. Set Pins in a Bowling Alley, worked Sunday morning as a Janitor at a Drug Store, and had a paper route. Sports consisted of football, tennis and shuffleboard, bowling and becoming a better than average snooker player at the local pool hall. Worked one summer in the wheat harvest and sold clothing after school and worked at Fred’s Men’s Store on Saturdays. He was in the Civil Air Patrol. While in high school, he won first place in the General Science Scholastic Competition for the State of Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma Boys State when he was a senior. Joined the Order of DeMolay rising to become a Master Councilor.

He attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College where he was in the Student Pep Organization and was active in the Thespian Club. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard and was in charge of procuring food for the Mess Hall. He went on Active Duty with the guard and became a Radio Teletype Operator during the day and a bartender at night at the Ft. Hood Officer’s Club. Served two years on active duty and then went to the University of Oklahoma where he majored in Accounting.

Married his first wife and had two children by that marriage. Worked for Shell Oil as a natural gas accountant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Moved to New Orleans and then to Houston while with Shell. He left Shell and became the Benefits Manager for the United Way in Houston. Retired from the United Way and finished his career at Service Corp. International as the Manager of Executive Compensation.

Married his second wife, Woodene and immediately extended his family to six children. He was active in Toastmasters International for 15 years where he earned 31 public speaking trophies during this time. Retired from SCI in 1994 and moved to Panorama Village. He started a second career as a chef. He authored two cookbooks and began writing a weekly cooking column for the Conroe Courier in 2001.

He was a 32 degree Mason and a member of the Arabia Temple Shrine. He was active in the Masonic Lodge in Willis, TX and received the Golden Trowel award as well as serving as Master of the Lodge. He initiated the weekly and monthly booster club luncheons and served as the chief cook for eight years. He holds the current record for First Place Desserts at the Montgomery County Fair with victories during a six year period. He and his wife Woodene traveled in all 50 states and Canada. Became a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1978, serving on the Speakers Committee and became a Lifetime Committeeman in 2000.

In addition to his cooking career, he made numerous stained glass windows and received first place awards at the State Fair of Texas and the Montgomery County Fair.

He was predeceased by his parents, Loyd and Gertrude Robinson of Tonkawa, Oklahoma and son Christopher Donat.

He is survived by his wife, Woodene; children, Cindy Ann Robinson, Susan Robinson Thacker and husband Steve, Machele Donat Herr and husband Harry, Kathy Donat Hatcher and husband Mike, Terry Donat and wife Tina; sister, Margaret Ann Williams of Colorado Springs; and nine grandchildren.

Visitation is Monday, February 24, 2014 from 5 to 7 pm at Metcalf Funeral Home with the Funeral services Tuesday the 25th at 10 am in the Metcalf Chapel. Interment will take place on Wednesday, February 26 at 11 am at Rose Hill Burial Gardens in Oklahoma City.