Dick was born December 22, 1942, in Sebring, FL, the son of Robert Junior and Doris Mason Robinson. He married Marie Cunningham Malek on November 19, 1993.
Dick earned a reputation as a committed and effective State of Illinois administrator and community service leader. During his public service career, he served in the offices of the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Attorney General, and in the Illinois Department of Human Services.
In the Secretary of State’s office, Dick helped lead an initiative returning state license plate manufacturing to Illinois, moving it to a non-profit entity to employ persons with disabilities. As Deputy Director of Business Services, he also played a role in implementing the State of Illinois’ Limited Liability Companies Act, and he presented nationally on the state’s then-groundbreaking program. Dick retired from public service in 2003.
He also participated in the political process, working for Jim Edgar’s successful election campaign for Illinois Governor in 1990.
Dick was a proud and active member of Rotary International beginning in 1977 in Lincoln, IL and later with the Springfield Sunrise Club. He served as Club President (1998-1999) and as District Governor for Rotary District 6460 (2006-2007). He was a Paul Harris Fellow and a Rotary Foundation Benefactor. Dick even threw out the first pitch at Busch Stadium representing Rotary International during the St. Louis Cardinals world championship season in 2006.
He served on the local board of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Epilepsy Foundation District Board, and SPARC. He also served as vice chairman for the International Association of Corporate Administrators.
Dick served his country in the U.S. Air Force from October 1961 through October 1965, achieving the rank of Airman First Class. He was recognized for his service as participant in the September 2022 Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Dick graduated from the Air Force Military Dependents High School in Madrid, Spain, and attended college at Colorado State University at Pueblo, Lincoln College, and University of Illinois–Springfield.
He was an avid fan of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, St. Louis Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Dick is survived by his wife, Marie Malek Robinson; brother, Charles Arthur (Susan) Robinson of Melbourne, Florida; sisters, Cheryl Williams of Melbourne, Florida and Doris (Kevin) Funk of Warsaw, Indiana; children, Eric (Kim) Robinson of Chicago, Illinois, Dana (Kim) Robinson of Kernersville, North Carolina, Joe (Seanna) Malek of Springfield, Illinois, and Jason (Karly) Malek of Springfield, Illinois; grandchildren, Emily Robinson of Chicago, Illinois, Bayley Robinson (Sam) Cooper of Kernersville, North Carolina, Braidy Robinson of Kernersville, North Carolina, Alena Malek of Springfield, Illinois, Claire Carmean of Springfield, Illinois, Joey Malek of Springfield, Illinois, and Addie Malek of Springfield, Illinois.
Memorial Gathering and Mass: Family will receive friends from 9:00 until 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Allen Kemme, celebrant.
Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and Department of Defense.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and/or the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
