Ernest C. Robinson

Ernest (Ernie) Carroll Robinson, age 87, died peacefully, on his own terms in Sarasota, FL on May 3, 2023. Ernie was born on 01-30-1936 to Evelyn and William Robinson in Washington DC. He was the 2nd son of 7 siblings. He is survived by siblings, Dee Homer of Sarasota, FL, Kenneth Robinson of Richmond, VA and Cheryl Boggs of Sarasota, FL and predeceased by his parents and siblings, Jean Ward, of Lusby, MD, Joan Forsyth of Waldorf, MD and Donald Robinson, Sarasota FL.

He graduated from Surrattsville High School in Clinton, MD, in 1954, where he was part of the soccer & golf team. After graduating, he went directly into the U.S. Navy, as a Petty Officer, Third Class. He was assigned to the Destroyer, the USS Smalley, where shortly after enlisting and deploying, the Korean conflict came to an end and Ernie headed back to Newport RI. However, his active-duty naval career was sidelined by a desmoid tumor that left him medically disabled and he was 100% medically discharged in 1956. In 1957 he was one of the first Americans to undergo open heart surgery and survive. Afterwards, he worked at various electronics companies in Maryland, such as Rixxon Electronics and Litton Enterprises, which allowed him to be involved in the introduction of the NASA Apollo projects, pocket calculators and microwave innovation.

In December 1960, he married Shannon D. Sweet and they had 3 children. He leaves behind, daughter, Shannon C. Zielinski, son-in-law Robert Zielinski and grandson, Tyler S. Benesh, daughter-in-law, Raina Benesh and great-granddaughter, Isabella Benesh; daughter, Christine C. Haarer, son-in-law Gregg Haarer, grandson, Gregg Haarer, Jr., great-granddaughter Layla Haarer and granddaughter, Danielle Haarer; son Craig Robinson, daughter-in- law, Mindy Robinson and grandson, Dalton Kinsey and great-grandsons Noah Kinsey and Rhett Kinsey.

Ernie learned golf early in his high school and continued golfing his whole life. In his prime, he won numerous tournaments over the years, always being gracious in his wins by buying all the losers a round. His crowning achievement came when he got his 1st hole-in-one at hole 16 on 11/15/83 at Bobby Jones Golf Course. He was involved in many organizations over the years. He was elected Commander at the American Legion Post 31 in Westminster, Maryland for numerous years, always beating out the competition with crab feasts that won over the holdouts. In 1992, he was elected Exalted Ruler at the Sarasota Elks Lodge, #1519. In addition, he held numerous seats at the table at many other local organizations: local Sahib Shrine of Sarasota and Masonic Lodge Phoenix 346, Elks Lodge 2495, life member at the VFW, Post 3233, life member of The American Legion, Fruitville Post 266, Life Member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 4424, life member at Moose Lodge 1319, Life Member of Fleet Reserve, Branch #250, life member of Tin Can Sailors and a member of Clan 78 of the Florida Crackers, Grand & Glorious Degree of the Hillbilly Degree. In addition to being a member of the Sarasota County One-Hundred Club, he also held an honorary commission of Colonel with the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

In addition to golf, Ernie loved anything sports, including pro & college football, baseball, basketball & Nascar. He could spend hours flipping through the channels watching different sports all day. He was kind, generous and always willing to give a helping hand to those who needed it. He had a wicked sense of humor and participated in numerous practical jokes over the years.

There will be a Military Memorial Service at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd. 72 (Clark Rd) Sarasota, FL, on September 13, 2023 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a local military organization: VFW, American Legion, Eagles or Moose Lodge in honor of Ernie.