Robin Robinson

Robin Robinson  November 18/1931 - December 25/2011

Robin James Robinson, beloved by his family and many friends, died comfortably at home on December 25, 2011, at age 80 after a year fighting a malignant prostate tumor. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Caddes; his step-daughter Jill Caddes of San Francisco, his stepson and daughter-in law, Scott and Polly Washburn Caddes, their three children, Hayley, Jake, and Garrett, of Los Altos; and Robin's sister, Diane Bonem, of New Braunfels, Texas.

Robin was born and grew up in Beaumont, Texas. He graduated from Rice University in 1954, and earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He joined Exxon Corporation as a project manager, and his work of developing technologies for getting oil out of the ground and ocean, took him all over the world, including Japan; England; Australia; Norway; Venezuela; Laguna Beach, California; New Jersey; and Houston, Texas. After retiring from Exxon in 1986, he worked for a hazardous waste clean up business in Washington and then began his own consulting firm.

In 1996, Robin and Carolyn moved to Palo Alto where Carolyn had lived many years. Robin became an enthusiastic citizen. He helped raise funds for the Palo Alto History Museum and was a Board member and president of Abilities United (formerly C.A.R.), an organization that provides services for people with disabilities. In 2003 he was elected to the Palo Alto Fellowship Forum and was its president from 2010-2011. He served twice as president of the 101 Alma Condominium Association.

Robin loved, tennis, bridge, reading, crossword puzzles, and poker. His colleagues at his weekly poker game warned newcomers that despite Robin's friendly good humor, he almost always came away a winner. His friend Tom Ehrlich said, "He certainly was a winner in life and will be missed by his family and friends whose solace is in the many warm memories, stories, and good deeds that he left behind."

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Contributions in honor of Robin may be made to Abilities United, 525 E. Charleston Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94306 or to the Palo Alto History Museum, PO Box 676, Palo Alto, CA 94302.