Robert Allen Robinson (Skip), age 73, of Independence, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2021, at Medicalodge in Independence.
Memorial graveside services and visitation will be held at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence with military graveside rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 1186 or American Legion Post 139 and sent to Zach Webb Family Funeral Service, 1475 S. 10th, Independence, KS 67301.
Robert Allen ‘Skip” Robinson was born February 22, 1947, in Richmond, IN, to Robert E. Robinson and Barbara Ann (Butler) Robinson. Skip attended schools in Richmond and Cambridge City, IN, graduating in 1965 from Cambridge High School in Cambridge City. Skip entered the US Army in 1966 and served 6 years on active and reserve duty. He served in Viet Nam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and volunteered for duty with F Company 51st Infantry, Long Range Patrol, which later became the 75th Rangers. He then joined the US Air Force in 1972 and served at several location throughout the world, including 4 years as a basic training instructor.
Skip married Mary Schlotterbeck in 1969 and later divorced. He married Dana Ward of Independence, KS in 1986 and she survives at the home.
During his time in the military, he earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutist’s Badge, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Valorous Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 devices, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with 1 device, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with 1 device, NCO Professional Milatary Education Ribbon with 1 device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Republice of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with 1 device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Badge and 2 Overseas Service Bars. He retired from the US Air Force in 1989. He attended the Florida Police Academy and was employed with the Panama City Beach Police Department for several years before being hired as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer from which he retired in 2006 and moved to Independence, KS.
He was a member of the Elk City Masonic Lodge, lifetime member and Past Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1186 in Independence, the American Veteran’s Association, the Elk’s Lodge in Parsons, KS, the Eagles Lodge in Neodesha, KS, lifetime member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 139 and the American Legion Riders Chapter 139 in Independence, KS, member and Past Commander of 3rd District American Legion of Kansas and member and Past Commander of Kansas State American Legion Riders.
Skip is survived by his wife, Dana Robinson of the home. Two sons, Colby Allen Robinson of Moorhead, MN, and William Jason Robinson of Lakeville, MN. Five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William R. Robinson.
The family of Skip Robinson has entrusted the arrangement of the services to Zach and Dee Webb of locally-owned Zach Webb Family Funeral Service of Independence, KS.