Richard Russell Robinson

Richard grew up in the East Bay area of Northern California. He was the son of Anna Ruth (Moen) Robinson and Russell Frederick Robinson of Berkeley, California. Growing up, his life was marked by his friendships, particularly to his lifelong friend, Eric Grube. He attended El Cerrito High School, graduating in 1954. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force from 1954 until 1958, where he was stationed at Parks AFB and Hamilton AFB in Northern California. He was a lifeguard, worked in the Provost's Office because of his good typing skills, and as an Air Policeman, he walked the flight line.

After his service in the Air Force, he entered San Jose State University as a law enforcement major, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Science. While in college he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and served as their Vice President. Although he was a very involved student and fraternity member, Richard was and has always been a person who preferred quiet and leaned towards being an introvert. This didn't, however, stop him from meeting the love of his life, his wife, Carole, at the that very same university. The two went on to get married in 1963 and were so blessed to have celebrated their 61st anniversary this very year.

Richard and Carole have three daughters, Lisa Ann, Loralyn, and Leeann Jean. Having all married wonderful husbands, the three girls made Richard and Carole grandparents with seven grandsons, one granddaughter, three granddaughters-in-law, a bonus granddaughter, three great granddaughters, one great grandson, and five 'bonus' great grandchildren.

Richard's career with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration spanned 26 years. Richard and Carole lived in several different states during that time, starting out in Portland, Oregon, then moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico a year later, where Lisa and Loralyn were born. In 1969, work brought them to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Richard set up the Las Vegas office of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and where he and Carole brought Leeann into the world. Richard was then transferred to Los Angeles as the Assistant Agent-in-Charge. After ten years in Angeles, the family moved to Burke, Virginia and Richard worked at DEA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Then, in 1985, they came back to California, where Richard retired as Assistant Agent-in-Charge of the DEA's Los Angeles Office in 1988.

During their life together, their family spent time off-roading in the Mojave Desert and golf cart riding, but by far, on the water was their favorite place to be. Carole and Richard spent many years enjoying water sports, boating, swimming, waterskiing, jet skiing and camping in their trailer at Lake Havasu, California, Lake Tahoe, and many smaller lakes up and down California. They had two family reunions at Meeks Bay, Lake Tahoe and this lake quickly became their favorite place.

In their early retirement years, Carole and Richard loved traveling, visiting 21 of the U.S. states. In addition, there were cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Australia, South America, the Baltic countries, Europe, Greece, and China.

After living in Sonora, California for over 20 years, it was time to move again, this time to escape crazy California once and for all, to be close to one of their favorite places, Lake Tahoe, and to be nearer their daughter Leeann and her family. Although he is so missed by all, his family is comforted by the fact that Richard lived a rich life full of purpose, travel, adventure, and love for his family.