Frederick William "Bill" Robinson

Frederick William (Bill) Robinson

Indianapolis—On February 26th, 2019 Frederick William (Bill) Robinson, 86, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; their two sons, Steven William (Anne Cunningham) and Bret Allen (Christine Schlegel); two grandchildren, Elliot and Abigail; and other family members and close friends.

Bill Robinson loved many things in his life, including running free in the small town near the Canadian border where he grew up—Sumas, Washington. He loved his two brothers and one sister, and maintained close relationships with them, their spouses, and their children throughout his life.

Bill was justifiably proud of his service on the front lines in the Korean War; he loved his country. The GI Bill gave him a chance to attend Butler University for two degrees; he loved his Bulldogs! At Butler he studied math and nurtured his lifelong love of numbers, equations, and puzzles of all sorts. He loved when the car odometer showed a string of prime numbers and would point this out to anyone riding shotgun at the time.

Friends knew Bill’s slow-flowing, low voice and thoughtful temperament. Bill loved to speak truthfully and with compassion. He had a 35-year career as teacher and math Department Chairman at Park Tudor School and what did Bill love most there? Bill loved his students.

He was a founding and faithful member of Westview Christian Church where so many of his friendships were made. Bill loved God.

At various times in his life he loved to carve wood, to make quilts, to pitch horseshoes. He always loved to fish, to draw, and to play golf. Bill loved the stern of a canoe.

He showed his love for his sons by a constant and welcome participation in their lives. From backyard games to cross-country road trips, through coaching their teams, baiting their hooks, beating them at golf, taking them camping, and teaching them how to be good men, he demonstrated that constant love. And he loved that their marriages brought him two daughters-in-law, whom he also loved.

When grandchildren came into his life he formed a new special bond; Elliot and Abby were among his greatest loves.

But Bill Robinson had one unsurpassed love. He met her on a blind date and five days later asked her to marry him. Pat said yes, and they have been at each other’s side for more than 65 years of marriage.

Bill loved so much, and he was loved by so many.

The family is thankful for the excellent care of the doctors, nurses, and other health professionals that helped give Bill three mostly good years after a cancer diagnosis. Those wishing to make contributions in Bill’s memory can make those to Westview Christian Church (www.westviewchristianchurch.org) or Southside Animal Shelter (www.sassi.org)