Carol "Robbie" "Robbie" Robbins

Carol Clement Robbins (Robbie) was born in San Francisco on Dec. 25, 1915 to Anna Marie Roach and Earl Clement Robbins. Earl died in the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic. Robbie grew up with his mother in Spokane, WA. In first grade he met Lewis and Sid Weiner, who became lifelong friends. He graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1934, then served in the Civilian Conservation Core fighting forest fires. He then attended Washington State College, graduating in Chemical Engineering. Service in the Army Core of Engineers during WWII involved building airfields in the Aleutian Islands.

Robbie met his future wife, Irene Safko, in Washington DC just following the war, while stationed at Fort Belvoir. Shortly after they married, they made their home in Renton where they started their family. Robbie began a 40 year career as an aerospace engineer with Boeing. Early projects included the Stratocruiser, B&W Seaplane, and the 707. The Saturn V/Apollo project took them to Huntsville, Alabama in 1963, which was the beginning of their travels with Boeing. Bellevue became their home base in 1969. Robbie’s last and favorite project was the Space Shuttle. He was devastated by the loss of the Challanger, and was later called back from retirement to help restart the Shuttle program.

In addition to reading and solving math problems, card playing was a favorite hobby, especially bridge. It was during their years in the Midwest (Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Montana) that Robbie and Irene began Square Dancing, a passion they continued through their retirement. They danced with the Boots -n- Laces, Jet Steppers, and Free Wheelers Square Dance Clubs. Early in their retirement he and Bill enrolled in an auto mechanics course, where he met Nam Lieu, who soon became his second son. Nam and his family have held a special place in Robbie and Irene’s family ever since. He also truly enjoyed being part of the Roach family and attended several Roach Reunions.

A kind and cheerful man, Robbie was known for his sense of humor and quick wit, which he kept to his last days. However, it was his integrity and his devotion to his wife and family that defined his life. He loved his life. In his later years, he often spoke of what a good life he has had. Robbie and Irene would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year.