Reverend George Henry Alexander Robinson

On Wednesday, January 3, 2018, Reverend George H. A. Robinson of Calgary left this life and entered into his heavenly home and the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all eternity! George was born in Calgary, AB on March 29, 1921 to Aben and Sevia (Peterson) Robinson and spent his childhood primarily in Three Hills and Red Deer, AB. After becoming a Christian at age thirteen on the grounds of Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, his early dream of becoming a doctor gave way to God’s call on his life to preach the gospel. With that purpose in mind, he entered Prophetic Bible Institute in Calgary in 1938 where he studied under William Aberhart, former premier of Alberta. He was later ordained by the North American Baptist denomination and entered into full-time ministry in 1941. While at Bible College he met Inez Shatto and they were married November 14, 1941. In 2017 they celebrated 76 years of married life.

George’s early ministry centered on evangelism. He was the “evangelistic voice” on the Sunrise Gospel Hour (CFCN) from 1949-1953 and became well known throughout Alberta and surrounding provinces. During this time, he also traveled extensively as an evangelist with Youth For Christ International throughout Canada, USA, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and India, preaching to thousands. While in Taiwan he was privileged to have an extensive audience with Madame and President Chiang Kai-Shek, prior to traveling to India and the Middle East to conduct crusades. From 1943 until retirement, George pastored churches in Longview, Wetaskiwin and Edmonton, AB, in Jamestown, ND, in Wausau, WI and in Rapid City, Spearfish and Aberdeen, SD. He also became a licensed alcohol and drug counselor/therapist serving with River Park of Rapid City, for which he was honored with numerous awards from the Pennington Group for three consecutive years for outstanding services rendered. In the communities in which he served, he was a member of various civic clubs, including but not limited to Kiwanis, Cosmopolitan, Rotary, the Gideon’s and local ministerial associations.

While he returned from the US to live in Calgary in 1993, George never fully retired. He loved people and ministered to everyone he came in contact with. Whether filling pulpits, mentoring younger pastors, leading Bible Studies throughout the city, having coffee with friends, writing articles for local publications, making conversation at favorite places of business, doctors’ offices, hospitals or at the Prince of Peace Village and Manor where he resided the last twelve years of his life, George made a difference in people’s lives. He never knew a stranger and nearly everyone who met George loved him—from pauper to millionaire, George never made a distinction.

George was predeceased by his parents (Aben and Sevia Robinson), a brother (Clifford Robinson), a sister (Elsie Dibbon), an infant son (Harold Michael Robinson) and a son-in-law (Ronald Royce). He leaves behind his wife of 76 years, Inez (Shatto) Robinson, 4 children: Loretta (Robinson) Royce of Elizabethton, Tennessee, Gerald (Connie) Robinson and Shirley Robinson all of Calgary, AB, and David Robinson (Sue) of Debden/Rimbey, AB. He is also survived by 12 beloved grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to family members, George leaves behind countless “children in the faith”, friends near and far and many who rise up and call him “Blessed”. Along with the apostle Paul it can be said of George: “He fought a good fight, he finished the course, he kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give him on that day and not to him only but to all those who love His appearing”. II Timothy 4:7-8

A Visitation will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), Monday, January 8, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service for George will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow the service at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the loving care provided to George over the years by the entire staff at Prince of Peace Manor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to Samaritan’s Purse, www.samaritanspurse.ca, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, www.billygraham.ca, or The Friends of Israel, www.foi.org. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

George Robinson tribute from Pete & Shirley Unrau

We will never forget how wonderful George & Inez were to us at our first pastorate. Jamestown Baptist was a place of learning and being showered with the blessing of God and His people on our young marriage and ministry. Pete had been invited to be the Youth Pastor of a thriving church in the middle of the prairies of North Dakota. The very first day Pete went to work at the church, Geroge Robinson, the senior pastor met with him and told him, "You'll never get caught up is this calling. Don't let that bother you. Just do your best." We never forgot that. For those in Christian ministry this fact is often a point of pressure. No matter how hard you work, how many hours you put in a day, in a week, in a month or year, you never feel like you have done enough. People often get hurt because you didn't tend to their need when they wanted you to. The second thing Pastor George did was to ask Pete to join him in prayer. He got down on both of his knees on the hardwood floor where Pete joined him. There this beautiful, softhearted, Godly man poured out his heart on behalf of Pete as he began his new ministry in this church and in this community. He prayed, "Lord, help Pete to never feel that he is working under me but alongside of me." That act of humble, prayerful submission to God and full support of Pete's ministry alongside of him, stayed with Pete for the rest of his life. Jamestown Baptist was a place of learning and being showered with the blessing of God and His people on our young marriage and ministry.

We will be praying for you all and especially for Inez. Could you give her a hug from us? She is a dear sweet servant of God. We give you our of our favorite verses from Zeph 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He takes great delight in you. He comforts you with His love. He rejoices over you with singing".

We send our deepest love and sympathy to your entire family. What a beautiful legacy your Dad left you, and us, and so many others. Great will be his Heavenly reward.

Our deep love, Pete and Shirley Unrau

TRIBUTES FOR REV. GEORGE ROBINSON

With both sorrow and joy we heard of uncle George’s passing. Praying for the Holy Spirit to bring peace and comfort you all during this time. He has finished what God had called him to do for nearly a century WOW!

It was always a joy to hear about him getting dressed to a T and telling others about our Savior at Tim Hortons. He was definitely a messenger of God!

Please say hi to all with a long-distance hug

Steve & Kellie Shatto

A new body at age 96! Wow! Sometimes we don't want to wait that long. Good thing we aren't in charge. Sorry for your loss. We have so many good memories but of course the best is leading Chip to Christ.

Barb & Chip Winter

I want to thank you for being my pastor (at Immanuel Baptist Church) while I was there growing up and after I came back to be the Youth For Christ director in Wausau. You taught me, guided me, corrected me and befriended me as a pastor and as an example. You preached the Word and were not afraid to speak out against sin. You taught the congregation to sing with great joy "To God be the Glory". You moved the congregation forward with vision in purchasing Woodson Hall and then overseeing the building of the new sanctuary. You were a kind and wonderful friend to my Mom and Dad and they both spoke warmly of you often. You held together a diverse congregation of Dutch farmers, Swedish tradesmen and German teachers and businessmen and their families. You proclaimed Christ unashamedly teaching that the cross was the only way of salvation and forgiveness. You were a leader and respected member of the community and I was always proud to tell people where I went to church and who was my pastor. Men like John Rosemurgy and Clint West were guided to repentance and salvation because you were not ashamed to witness to business leaders. I remember your big blue Imperial, your snappy suits and your white Stetson hat. You let me preach the one and only sermon that I ever preached. You have been and are very much to this day a huge influence on my Christianity, and I thank you for all you are and have done.

Wayne Holubetz

It is with both sadness and joy that I have received your news. Your Dad will be joining so many of the beloved saints that have gone before. If there's a coffee shop in glory, I'm sure he will be shaking hands all around and praising his Savior for all eternity. What a glorious certainty! not just a "hope". I repeat what I've said in the past, what a huge and ongoing influence George was on my life and what a wonderful testimony he was to so many thousands of people. His ministry was and is felt world wide. Look at the number of kids just from IBC through his years that either went to Bible school or into full time Christian service - missionaries, pastors, church secretaries. And then multiply that throughout all his churches! I praise God for his ministry and now his legacy.

Wayne & Julia Holubetz

Dr. Bill Hall Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018 10:24 am

This is Dr. Hall. I just got word about George. I’m very sorry that he’s gone. I’m really going to miss him. It was always a treat having him come into the office here. He always had such a great attitude. I did get to see him yesterday afternoon. I was at the café and went over to say hello. He knew me and said he was feeling poorly. He asked about the weather and what the roads were like – and that sort of thing. He seemed to be with it but he was very frail. I am so sorry and know it will know it will leave a big hole for you in your life. I can certainly understand that. My very best wishes for you.