Richard Robinson

Richard F. "Dick" Robinson, age 88, of Madison, died after a brief illness on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born on May 20, 1927 in Madison, the son of Harold and Mae (Young) Robinson.

Dick was a true Madisonian having proudly grown up on the south side on Emerson and Lawrence Streets and, later, on Lake Court. He attended Franklin Elementary School. He graduated from West High School in May, 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and on his 18th birthday began his service in WWII spending most of his time on the supply ship U.S.S. Arequipa in the South Pacific. After the war, he attended UW Madison on the GI bill and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. Dick worked in Washington, D.C. and Georgia as a cartographer with the Army Map Service before returning to Madison to work for the State of Wisconsin, Department of Transportation as a geologist and soils engineer, retiring in 1989. He traveled extensively around the state to help construct numerous roadways, bridges and airport runways. He met his future wife, Barbara Hammond, at a Citadel club event at Bethel Lutheran Church. They were married on February 4, 1956. They shared 59 years of marriage at the home they built on Madison's west side. Over the years, Dick enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, traveling, cooking, and all things in nature. He especially enjoyed spending time "up north" at his north woods property near Mercer, WI.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, son, Fred (Janelle) Robinson of Wauwatosa, daughter, Sue Robinson, of Madison, granddaughters, Yvonne Robinson of St. Louis, MO and Nicole Robinson of Milwaukee, and sister, Alice Robinson, of Lansing, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents.

An open house celebration of Dick's life will be held at his home on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 3-7 p.m. Burial will be at Forest Hill cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Dick requested that memorials be made to the Mercer Food Pantry, 5113 Black Lake Road, Mercer, WI 54547.

The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Griffith at Meriter Hospital, the staff of the 11th floor Heart & Vascular Unit at Meriter and the entire staff at Agrace HospiceCare Fitchburg for their outstanding kindness and compassion.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434