Dad, 
two days ago was your birthday. We all miss you a great deal, even though Barbara is not talking to me (for some bizarre reason) I know she would agree with that statement. We have been through a pandemic, an autocrat, and an insurrection.  You would have loved the political news as you always followed it, and it was the one thing we could agree on.  Though I am sure you would have hated COVID-19 as we all do. 

I miss playing chess, talking politics, and your views on education. You would have been happy to read I am now a first-grade teacher. Yep, the folks at Allison Elementary dragged me back into education. I hope it works out. AJ just recently had his 21st birthday, I am sure you would be happy to read. Hope and pray to see you and mom again sometime in the distant future if there is indeed an afterlife. 
Love, 
Norm III

Dad, it would have been your 78th birthday today. 
I miss you a great deal and wish to God we could have resolved our differences prior to your passing. I know that you were one to hold grudges and had little forgiveness if you felt wronged. 
As you know, I grew up Catholic and the idea of forgiveness is a key concept to their faith. Despite our issues, you seemed to always want to see me. We had many great talks on the patio at 7580 Kimblewick in Sac. I guess that will have to do for resolution. Miss you Dad.
Your Son,
Norman Grant Robinson III 

Dear Dad,
today would have been your 77th birthday.  I worked hard to get to know you over the last decade or so. You even moved to Sac at my urging in order to try to be closer.  I didn't agree with you on every topic, but I always respected your opinion.  I can't help but feel your time was somehow cut short.  A week before you passed you left a nice voice message for me encouraging me to come over. Before I could get by the house you had passed. Every moment of life is sacred, as you just never know. Happy Birthday! We love and miss you.
Your son, Norm III
P.S. I have included a photo of you and Trevor.

I came across this old picture of my parents at a friends house in the 1970s. It is a great side shot of dad with mutton chops.
We greatly miss you both, god bless.
Love, 
Normie III

I'll never forget the kindness and advice he had for me after my sister passed.  My condolences to N3 and the family, I know he is sincerely missed!

Mr. Robinson was the best teacher I ever had.  He was the bright spot in my long dreary days at Encinal High School.  A dear, good kind fellow.  Via Con Dios.

Norm was a great man!

Not only did he have a positive influence on me as a student, he also assisted me in many ways when I went back to the campus as a police officer. This was 25 years later when I worked for four years as the SRO.  Norm was great mentor for me even at this stage.  He cared, knew how to solve problems, and was a very compassionate man.  While it is heartbreaking to deal with the loss of a loved one, his legacy will live on through the ways he inspired others.

Jerry Erny
Haines, Alaska

Sorry for your loss. I never had Mr Robinson for a teacher over at Encinal High School. I went there from 1980-1984. He will be missed by those who knew him well. God be with you and comfort the Robinson family. James S. Maletsky Class of 1984 E.H.S.

Thank you Mr. Robinson for your integrity and passion in your teaching. I was very grateful for your fairness and warmth felt in teaching even with such structure. I appreciated all I learned in debating and speaking, which is still a first love and part of my life today. Thank you for that foundation, respectfully,

HI Barbara....my heartfelt condolences for you and your family....Your dad was my most favorite teacher...laid back...super funny...and always forgave me for quickly reading the cliff notes at the last minute :-) My family also lives here up north in Loomis.  Please let me know if you hold any kind of memorial services.  
xo Christine Boersma

I was stunned to read the obituary in today's Alameda paper.
To all the Robinson family, my deepest sympathies on the loss of this vital man, my friend and colleague. To Normie and Barbara, special condolences as my mind fills with many,many memories  of happy family times together. That picture of your dad in the turtleneck and sunglasses was taken in our then backyard at 747 Taylor Ave.
So, so sorry.
Rina Hill Austin
Alameda

Norm I so enjoyed your company. Each time I was in your home you always made me feel welcome. We will all do our best to watch over Rachel. Love Leticia

Rachel,
     My deepest condolences to you at the loss of your husband, Norm.  I will always remember how he and Ken hit it off from the first time they met.  An intellect and a blue collar talking like long lost buddies.  He was a real gentleman.

Jeanette

New

I always had interesting conversations with Norm. I will miss him knowing he and my cousin Rachel spent over 25 wonderful years together. I know he suffered much physical pain but you would never know. My sincere condolences to Norm's family and to my cousin Rachel.

Norm, why I didn't know your dad, I knew, know you from our working together in Oakland and having a 3 year close friendship. If you are anything like your dad, he was, is and will always be a man of exception, principle and belief. RIP and God bless and guard his soul in salvation.

I'll never forget my conversations with Norm and the wisdom he shared with me.  He was there through many pivotal points in my life and I'm truly saddened we've shared our last discussion.

Norm was one of the smartest guys I've known.  He could keep a conversation going on any subject with a special eye on the political scene. We will miss him; the election will miss his vote!
Norm loved my friend Rachel. I am happy for the joy and adventures they shared. He will continue to travel with us in heart and in spirit.
Peace be with you.

Dad, we will all miss you a great deal.  Your presence is with us in spirit even today.  Your guidance was huge over the course of my life and Barbara's.  Both of us are grief stricken by losing you.  We love you, we miss you and most importantly we will never forget you.

We always enjoyed hearing Norm's stories and opinions. He always made us feel welcome when we came over to his house when he hosted pool parties in the Summer. We shared a love for the game of blackjack and he gave me some great advice how to increase the odds of winning. He will be greatly missed and not forgotten.

Love,

Bill & Elica

There are many stories about Norman and his trips up to Reno. I recall the house building in Strawberry and trips to play blackjack. He's taught me everything I know about blackjack and my frist stint at the tables I was up $500 and must have played 4 hours straight. Norm was an amazing and inspiring person in my life. It was always a joy to see him and we would talk for hours. The discussion would range from deep history to the days topics. Always a learning experience and has left an indelible mark in my life.

Norm & I new each other from grade school.  We lived a few houses away from each other and we got onto mischief together.

Norm was an amateur magician while we were in grade school and performed for one of the school assemblies. I helped design some of the tricks and assised during the performance.  

We stayed friends through high school and beyond. We worked on each others cars and went on ski trips to Dodge Ridge. When I married, Norm was my best man and I returned the favor when he married.

We lost touch for a while until I tracked him down to come to my 50th aniversery.

I feel a great loss and I ak very sorry for both our losses.

Memories of growing up together.  The house in Alameda and summers at the cabin in the mountains.  Norm was a lovable tyrant at times & always the teacher.  I am grateful to him for always questioning and helping to develop my critical thinking and debate skills when we were young, and for instilling the value of just pushing through in life, for "going for the gusto!"  Mostly I'm grateful for the lifelong family friendships, and the memories!

I can still remember the days when our families spent time together up in Strawberry.  I wish we could do it all again.  Both Robinson Families together.

I remember the first time meeting Norm.  Barb and I worked together for several years, and after hearing the stories of her dad, I was a bit intimidated to meet him the first time.

I couldn't have been more impressed with his warmth and bonhomie.  Within two minutes of meeting him I was quizzed on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Of course he already knew enough about me from Barb to quiz me on a category I already knew well.
He like to build people up and show them how strong they really were.  A remarkable man.

Our deepest sympathy to the Robinson Family.  We will keep you in our thoughts and prays. May he rest in peace and in love. 
Love and Aloha Always,
John and Dodi Holeyfield

As a long time colleague of Norm's at Encinal High School I was saddened to hear of Norm's passing.  He and his talented and lovely wife Rachel enlivened the Encinal community with a zeal for their profession often missing in subsequent generations of teachers- they knew teaching was an art.  Norm could roar like a lion, and he had terrific command of his voice.  Yet he spent his life giving to his students the stability many lacked in their own homes, while teaching literature, debate and chess.  Norm always had a twinkle in his eye, and enlivened many a faculty meeting with tongue inserted firmly in cheek.  To Rachel his lovely wife, and all the rest of the family, I am sorry for your loss, but ask that you take solace in his marvelous journey through  life.

Deepest Condolences to the Robinson Family at this sad time - Mr Robinson will be missed by many he was a great guy,kind husbandf,  proud father and grandfather - I remember asking him what one of his favorite books were - his answer 
MOBY DICK.....I also have fond memories of hearing stories about his teaching
Trevor to play chess. In Sympathy, Peggy Williams

OBITUARY

Norman G Robinson Jr.

August 23, 1942 – July 18, 2016

Reichert's Funeral & Cremation Services

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