Obituary for Kenneth E. Robinson
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Kenneth Edward Robinson was born December 22, 1938 to the Late Moses Edward Robinson and Lorraine Skinner Robinson. From this union four children were born: Carmilida, Kenneth, Joyce, and Lawana. His early years were spent in Washington, D.C. As a child he was known to be both rambunctious and curious, but he always displayed impressive intellect.
Kenneth, or Ken as he was commonly known, attended Holy Providence School in Pennsylvania until eighth grade, and later attended Phelps High School in Washington, DC, graduating in 1956. He showed an interest in sports, briefly playing football before discovering a lifelong appreciation for baseball.
Ken married Barbara Jean Bailey in 1956, and from this union seven children were born: Karen, Carolyn, Brenda, Brian, Stanley, Tracy and Darrell. After twenty-seven years of marriage this union ended in divorce. Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force, entering the service in late 1956. He may not have planned it at the time, but he would make the military a career that spanned over twenty years. Over the course of a career in which he specialized in military logistics, he had various assignments around the world, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. His duty stations included assignments in Maine, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Maryland, with his final duty station being the Pentagon. He attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before retiring from the service in January of 1977. For his military service, he was awarded several prestigious awards and decorations; among them were the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation. His service career was long and distinguished, and his meticulous nature and the attention to detail honed in service to his country manifested itself in how he lived life even beyond the service.
In 1978 he began a long civilian career working for the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in Washington D.C. As a Manager of Administrative Services he used his logistics background to excel. He was eventually promoted to Director of Meetings Management. His area of responsibility was to plan and coordinate the APA’s annual meeting for up to twenty-five thousand attendees, logistics for the Institute of Pysch Services (IPS), and the quarterly Board of Directors meetings. For his impeccable management skills and attention to detail he was awarded the APA’s employee of the year. He retired from the APA in December 1999.
Ken remarried in 1985, to Gwendolyn (Gwen) Smith. Ken would spend the rest of his life with her, welcoming her into his family, and becoming a cherished member of hers. Without the disruption of constant military deployments, he was able to spend more time pursuing leisure activities, which included playing for the company softball team and recreational travel. He was also a member the Masons (Mecca Temple #10) and Shriners organizations, and was a member of the Shriners Clown Club, bringing joy to children of all ages across the District of Columbia and at yearly conventions across the US participating in various events and parades.
Ken would spend the next phase of life enjoying the fruits of his life’s labor. He stayed active by fishing and bowling, and vacationing with Gwen and their close friends. He particularly enjoyed himself if there was a casino to be found. During this time, he was a trusted advisor to his adult children, and a loving grandfather, as well as a devoted nephew, uncle, and cousin. He was always eager to offer guidance and assistance to those who sought his counsel. His commitment to helping others did not require a bond by blood.
Later in life, Ken would fight a multi-year battle with dementia. As the condition progressed it would start to rob him of his normalcy. Still, he courageously fought to maintain his sense of purpose, his connection with family and friends, and his role as partner and spouse to Gwen. He never stopped trying to serve as protector, provider, and confidant to those he cared for. His battle came to a conclusion with a peaceful transition on November 12, 2022.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-seven years, Gwen Robinson; seven children: Karen Southerland (Alonzo), Carolyn Jackson, Brenda Washington (Charles), Brian Robinson, Stanley Robinson (Barbara), Tracy Mitchell (Danny), and Darrell Robinson; his sister, Lawana Timberlake (Earl); a sister-in-law, Dorinda Taylor; twelve grandchildren: Tara (Damian), Corey, Alonzo (Cindy), Timm, Courtney (Micah), Adrienne (Bryan), Brian Jr., Dante (Angela), Kayla, Cydnye, Jordan, and Joshua; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear aunts: Beatrice Robinson and Louise Green; long-time friends: Clarence Holmes and William (Bill) Outlaw; a host of nieces and nephews, and many other beloved family and friends. His father Moses and mother Lorraine, and sisters Carmilida and Joyce preceded him in death.
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Kenneth Edward Robinson was born December 22, 1938 to the Late Moses Edward Robinson and Lorraine Skinner Robinson. From this union four children were born: Carmilida, Kenneth, Joyce, and Lawana. His early years were spent in Washington, D.C. As a child he was known to be both rambunctious and curious, but he always displayed impressive intellect.
Kenneth, or Ken as he was commonly known, attended Holy Providence School in Pennsylvania until eighth grade, and later attended Phelps High School in Washington, DC, graduating in 1956. He showed an interest in sports, briefly playing football before discovering a lifelong appreciation for baseball.
Ken married Barbara Jean Bailey in 1956, and from this union seven children were born: Karen, Carolyn, Brenda, Brian, Stanley, Tracy and Darrell. After twenty-seven years of marriage this union ended in divorce. Ken enlisted in the United States Air Force, entering the service in late 1956. He may not have planned it at the time, but he would make the military a career that spanned over twenty years. Over the course of a career in which he specialized in military logistics, he had various assignments around the world, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. His duty stations included assignments in Maine, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Maryland, with his final duty station being the Pentagon. He attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before retiring from the service in January of 1977. For his military service, he was awarded several prestigious awards and decorations; among them were the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation. His service career was long and distinguished, and his meticulous nature and the attention to detail honed in service to his country manifested itself in how he lived life even beyond the service.
In 1978 he began a long civilian career working for the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in Washington D.C. As a Manager of Administrative Services he used his logistics background to excel. He was eventually promoted to Director of Meetings Management. His area of responsibility was to plan and coordinate the APA’s annual meeting for up to twenty-five thousand attendees, logistics for the Institute of Pysch Services (IPS), and the quarterly Board of Directors meetings. For his impeccable management skills and attention to detail he was awarded the APA’s employee of the year. He retired from the APA in December 1999.
Ken remarried in 1985, to Gwendolyn (Gwen) Smith. Ken would spend the rest of his life with her, welcoming her into his family, and becoming a cherished member of hers. Without the disruption of constant military deployments, he was able to spend more time pursuing leisure activities, which included playing for the company softball team and recreational travel. He was also a member the Masons (Mecca Temple #10) and Shriners organizations, and was a member of the Shriners Clown Club, bringing joy to children of all ages across the District of Columbia and at yearly conventions across the US participating in various events and parades.
Ken would spend the next phase of life enjoying the fruits of his life’s labor. He stayed active by fishing and bowling, and vacationing with Gwen and their close friends. He particularly enjoyed himself if there was a casino to be found. During this time, he was a trusted advisor to his adult children, and a loving grandfather, as well as a devoted nephew, uncle, and cousin. He was always eager to offer guidance and assistance to those who sought his counsel. His commitment to helping others did not require a bond by blood.
Later in life, Ken would fight a multi-year battle with dementia. As the condition progressed it would start to rob him of his normalcy. Still, he courageously fought to maintain his sense of purpose, his connection with family and friends, and his role as partner and spouse to Gwen. He never stopped trying to serve as protector, provider, and confidant to those he cared for. His battle came to a conclusion with a peaceful transition on November 12, 2022.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-seven years, Gwen Robinson; seven children: Karen Southerland (Alonzo), Carolyn Jackson, Brenda Washington (Charles), Brian Robinson, Stanley Robinson (Barbara), Tracy Mitchell (Danny), and Darrell Robinson; his sister, Lawana Timberlake (Earl); a sister-in-law, Dorinda Taylor; twelve grandchildren: Tara (Damian), Corey, Alonzo (Cindy), Timm, Courtney (Micah), Adrienne (Bryan), Brian Jr., Dante (Angela), Kayla, Cydnye, Jordan, and Joshua; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear aunts: Beatrice Robinson and Louise Green; long-time friends: Clarence Holmes and William (Bill) Outlaw; a host of nieces and nephews, and many other beloved family and friends. His father Moses and mother Lorraine, and sisters Carmilida and Joyce preceded him in death.