Obituary of Oscar Ellsworth Robinson

Oscar Robinson went to receive his reward, and be reunited with his beloved wife Laura, on August 10.  He will be remembered as a strong and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who supported, cared for, and encouraged his immediate and extended family.  Oscar will also be remembered as a dependable, loyal and skilled friend and co-worker – a man who could be counted on to be there when he was needed and to take care of whatever had to be done.  For family and friends he always supplied a timely quip, a willing hand, words of encouragement and a strong arm to lean on.

Oscar was born April 7, 1934, in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland to the late John Robinson and Claudia Body Robinson.  He was the last survivor of four siblings, Helen Robinson Blackwood, Joan Robinson and John Robinson, Jr.  Raised in the caring and supportive home of his maternal grandparents, Maxwell and Goldie Body, in Rising Sun Maryland, Oscar attended the then segregated Port Deposit Elementary and Junior High School and George Washington Carver High School in Elkton, Maryland, from which in graduated in 1952.  In later years, Oscar continued his education, receiving an A.A. Degree in Business from Goldey Beacon College in Wilmington Delaware and a B.S. Degree in Business from Neumann College in Aston, Pennsylvania.

Following high school graduation, Oscar worked as an automobile mechanic before joining the United States Air Force in 1955.  Before retiring from the Air Force in 1975, Oscar served as an aircraft mechanic, guidance system technician, instructor and recruiter.  The various positions he held during his military service reflected Oscar’s technical/mechanical aptitude as well as his wonderful way with people.  He was always proud of his time as a recruiter and having helped numerous young people get a positive start their adult lives by enlisting in the service – just as he had.

After his Air Force service, Oscar worked for DuPont, the Boy Scouts of America and Marriott, where he managed hospital service contracts in various cities in the northeast United States.  Oscar retired again in 1996 to spend time with Laura, who had retired from her career with the federal government.  Although retired, he remained active as a volunteer in his community and church.  Oscar served as an Usher and on the Trustee Board at Bethel AME, and he was a volunteer driver with the Red Cross, transporting clients to medical appointments for over ten years.  He continued to serve others until slowed by illness.

Oscar married Laura B. Robinson (nee Fisher) on October 8, 1955.  They met as teenagers in 1950, and were married for sixty years. During their time together, they lived throughout the United States, making friends and being a positive influence on the lives of others wherever they went.

Oscar is survived by his daughter Vicki Whitehurst, who was his constant, attentive caregiver for the last five years of his life; his son Jeffrey Robinson, grand children Michelle, Joshua and Faith Robinson, sister-in-law Bertha Fisher; daughter and son-in-laws Donna Richardson Robinson and John Whitehurst; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to list. He will be missed.