Robert Ralph Robbins

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 17, 2014 at Connally Compton Funeral Directors Chapel.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Connally Compton Funeral Directors.

Robert was born January 23, 1926 in Dublin, Texas to Robert Wayne and Buna (Pittman) Fritz and was later adopted by A.L. Robbins. He attended public schools in Texas and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in 1973 and a Master of Arts degree in 1976.

Robert served in the U.S. Navy 1942-1945 and completed the Navy Technical School training at South Base, Norman, OK. He served aboard two aircraft carriers, The U.S.S. Tripoli and the U.S.S Core. After sea duty, he was assigned to the lighter-than-air base at Lakehurst, New Jersey. While there, he met and married Pearl Nill of Queens, N.Y. in 1945. He also did a term of service in the Naval Reserve from 1964 to 1968.

After discharging from the Navy, he lived in Long Island New York and worked as a store manager for McLellan Stores, Woolworth and TG&Y. In 1958 he returned to Texas and worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. as a marketing supervisor. In 1966 Robert was hired by Conoco Oil Co. in the same capacity and transferred to Norman, OK. He took an early retirement from Conoco Oil Co. in 1978 and was employed by Texas State Technical College as an instructor and in 1984 became director of Continuing Education at the college. He retired for the second time in 1991.

Robert was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Woodway where he taught two Adult Bible classes. He was previously a longtime member of St. Matthews Lutheran where he led the Adult Bible class for over 20 years. He also participated in the Central Texas Literacy Coalition from 1991 to 1994. He enjoyed studying religious history and European travel.

He is preceded in death by parents and children, Robert G. Robbins and Elaine Robbins Sharp.

Robert is survived by his wife of over 69 years, Pearl Robbins of Waco; son, Brian Robbins and wife Regina of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, April Lange and husband Jonathan of Evanston, WY, Benjamin Sharp and wife Kristen of Wharton, TX, Jarrod Sharp and wife Bonnie of Boling, TX, Hope Sharp of Little Rock, AR, George Robbins and wife Stacy of Avon Park, FL and Joshua Lasher of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by his sister Retha Robbins of Stephenville, TX and 18 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of floral arrangements memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church 2 Ritchie Road; Woodway, TX 76712 or Providence Hospice Place.

Arrangements under the direction of Connally-Compton Funeral Directors, Waco, TX.