Robert Lee Robinson
Eulogy given by Bob's Grandson, Jason Brady:
Before I start I’d like to thank my Grandmother, my Uncles and My Mom for allowing me the honor of speaking here today. I have to admit this was one of the hardest things I had to do, I love to write and have no issues speaking but yet today I am as nervous as can be. I kept asking myself “How do I put into words (the right words) what my grandfather has meant to me and so many others or what if I miss something or not say everything he has done”. But then I stopped and thought for a minute what my grandfather used to tell me when I was going through military training or I came across challenging situations. He’d tell me to do the best you can and never give up, but most of all never second guess yourself, because that’s when you fail. Thank you Grandpa!!!.
It is an honor to be here before you. An honor to have the opportunity to give my family words of peace and encouragement. And it is a pleasure to share with you some stories of this extraordinary man. But it is daunting to do justice to a life that spanned 87 years. Do I know enough about the whole of Grandpa’s life? Probably not. I can’t tell you what he was like as a young man. I don’t know what he faced while serving in the navy although I know that anyone who joined during that time was a brave and courageous person. I can only tell you what he was like as a Grandfather to me and my sisters.
And really, is there any better title that can be bestowed upon a man than Grandpa?
Robert was Born February 22, 1931. He was named after the great general Robert Lee Robinson. He grew up in Barberton Ohio, a small city in Summit County. It must have been too small of a city for Grandpa because he decided to join the military just two weeks after turning 17 years old. It turned out to be the greatest decision of his life because 2 years later he met the woman of his dreams--my grandmother. A year later they were married, and next month would be 67 years together (way to go papa). He was the Father of 3 children and a Grandfather of 5. He was a friend and storyteller to all others who had the opportunity to have met him. My Grandfather was a complex person. He was someone many people would describe as gruff and serious, but he lived a life that was full of pride, joy, and happiness.
He took pride in his careers as serving in the United States Navy and the San Diego County Courts. It all started in 1948 when he bravely entered the US Navy. He served honorably for 20 years and 3 days. He always made sure everyone knew about the 3 days. That way no one could say he didn’t do 20 years--the 3 days was the buffer. After that he worked for the San Diego Courts and county for another 20+ years.
My Grandfather was never big on emotions. Most of the time it was hard to know what he was feeling, but what he lacked in saying he did in showing. He did little things that at the time I didn’t pick up on…but as I look back I can see what he was doing. He always liked to take us to dinner. One of his favorite places was Giovani’s pizzeria. We go there at least three times a month. For our birthdays he always took us to our favorite spots, mine was Sizzler (the all you can eat shrimp special). I think he took me there so he could embarrass me by having the pretty waitresses sing to me. He did little things to show us he loved us. My favorite moments with grandpa were when he would let me help him make his strawberry ice cream; it always turned into a lesson on life which I cherished. I didn’t have a father figure growing up, but with my uncles and my grandfather I got the best lesson on how to be a man and a father.
My grandpa’s generosity, work ethic, humility, and selflessness are all qualities that I admire him for, and these are qualities I myself aspire to achieve.
Albert Einstein once said, “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.”
There is a tradition in the military to say good bye to our fallen and in the Navy there is a saying used for those who have passed.
NO MORE A WATCH TO STAND, OLD SAILOR.
FOR YOU ARE DRIFTING ON AN EDDING TIDE.
EIGHT BELLS HAS RUNG. DOG WATCH IS DONE.
A NEW BIRTH WAITS YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.
YOUR SHIP IS ANCHORED IN GOD’S HARBOUR.
AND THOUGH HIS SAILORS ARE OF EQUAL RANK.
THERE’LL BE SHIPMATES ON THE DECK TO GREET YOU.
AND PIPE, AS YOU ASCEND THE PLANK.
HER BOILERS WITH FULL HEAD OF STEAM.
CARGO STOWED AND GALLEY STORED.
JUST WAITING TO GET UNDERWAY.
WHEN THE LAST HAND COMES ABOARD.
LOOK SHARP! THAT HAND IS YOU, OLD SAILOR.
AND YOU’LL BE SAILING OUT ON HEAVENLY SEAS.
SO MAY THE WIND BE EVER AT YOUR BACK.
FAIR WEATHER. AND GOD SPEED!
REST IN PEACE GRANDPA