"I expect to pass through this world but once; any good therefore that I may do, for any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

Bob Robinson carried this with him since the time when he and his best friend in high school decided it was a key to living a good life. It never left him, though of course he failed it all too often. It was the foundation of his "religion," as close as he got to spirituality.

He was deeply astonished by our amazing universe and drawn, to the limits of his ability, to constantly try to comprehend it. While marginally a scientist, his academic profession (computer science, and director of Computer and Information Services at several leading universities) placed him where he so much enjoyed being - across the lunch table with a scientist or scholar, preeminent in some field, talking about that person's research and world views, and seeking ways that computers might play a part. With that came a deep appreciation for the intersections of the various ways of looking at our universe, our world, our life - E. O. Wilson's "consilience.

After attending seven different elementary and secondary schools, and fresh out of college, feeling a failure for his poor performance there, he met the love of his life. He slowly gained confidence as they moved forward to build a family and he had an up and down and up and down series of careers. If he were able, he would say that seeing how his three children have grown and become such wonderful people justifies his existence, and would point out that they are living proof that the apple does in fact fall far from the tree.

For twenty-eight years he served in the Air National Guard in various roles, rising from buck private to Major. He said often that he really did nothing but the military was very good to him anyway. He and Faye much appreciate the benefits derived - especially the socialized medicine.

Faye bore the slings and arrows of his outrageous fortunes with grace and was always there for him, to steady him and provide the love and support he so often needed. He is survived by her and the kids, and his other loves - Pierre and Pedro, which collectively made his life a joy.

They lived a very full life! Bob, however, was more the beneficiary of its largess. He had the opportunity to travel much of the world, lecturing and consulting, including in the middle-east and China as those countries began their push toward modernity. Then when he and Faye quit working in 1994, they hit the road and traveled all over North America in their RV, finally rooting in Pensacola. But that did not stop them, for they loved Shakespeare and theater so they summered in Stratford, Ontario for several years. And they traveled to Europe, Africa, the Amazon, and the Galapagos. Adventure was in Bob's blood, and Faye was always a good sport, even supporting his in-residence language studies in Mexico, Italy and France. The University of West Florida offered a perfect fit for him and he became very involved with the Leisure Learning Society, where he took classes, served on the Curriculum Committee, and taught and led discussion classes for over 23 years. He deeply valued the group of intriguing people who gathered year after year for those discussions.

He saw himself as a very lucky and happy man.

Services for Bob were held privately by his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that a donation be made to the Robert J. Robinson Mathematics Excellence Scholarship at The University of West Florida. Please use this link: Robert J. Robinson Mathematics Excellence Scholarship.