Tribute Wall
Monday
1
March
Visitation at Funeral Home
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Monday, March 1, 2021
Abriola Parkview Funeral Home
419 White Plains Rd.
Trumbull, Connecticut, United States
Monday
1
March
Funeral Service
3:30 pm
Monday, March 1, 2021
Abriola Parkview Funeral Home
419 White Plains Rd.
Trumbull, Connecticut, United States
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the First Congregational Church, 2301 Main St., Stratford, CT 06615, which meant the world to him as he served the Lord.
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Richard Rhinesmith posted a condolence
Friday, March 26, 2021
Don and I became friends at Stratford High School after I moved to Stratford in 1951. He was a terrific basketball teammate and loyal friend. His intelligence and quick wit brightened any gathering, and he exhibited integrity in all aspects of his life. He was our best man when Patty and I were married in Colorado in 1961. In subsequent years life created distance between us, Don in Connecticut, we in Colorado, but we kept in touch. He will be missed by all who knew him.
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Bob Saltz posted a condolence
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Don was a great leader and a friend to all athletes and students. He was especially a good friend and leader for me. His memory will last a long time for everyone who knew him.
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Dr Mildred David posted a condolence
Monday, March 15, 2021
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Donald Robbins. He was my colleague and my friend as we both served as Principals in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools. Don's intellect brightened every conversation. He was a man of great integrity who set a high personal standard for himself that was insjpirational to the people with whom he worked. Don had extraordinary energy which he happily devoted to his students, his staff and his school district.
We served together on the negotiating team for the administrative unit. The non-money issues were very significant to him.He attempted, through negotiations, to enhance direct communication between the Board and the Administration creating a more meaningful partnership to benefit our school community.
I know that Don had significant health issues in his final years. Christine was his loving partner and she brought love and comfort to him in his final years. Don's death is a profound loss for those who loved him. May Don's memory serve as a blessing for all of us.
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Bill Harper posted a condolence
Monday, March 15, 2021
An excellent educator in The Craft.
A good colleague and friend.
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David Foote posted a condolence
Sunday, March 14, 2021
I'm very sorry to hear this news and also want to express my condolences to Christine. Doc Robbins was my XC coach at Darien HS but I also knew him outside of school, after graduating. We once took a trip together to visit mutual friends and I’ve thought of this time with him many times over the years, and for many reasons. As one gets older I don’t believe it’s typical to carry vivid memories with you of more than a few teachers, however anyone who spent time around Doc Robbins would very likely include him in this small group. I agree with Peter that he was an outstanding compassionate and inspirational leader. He gave much of himself to those he led and particularly to those who really wanted to dig down deep into their character to discover who they really are in life. That was this man, who was flawed like the rest of us, but he will be remembered brightly by many like myself whose lives he touched deeply, and for whom he helped discover meaning and purpose during our brief time here on the planet. Doc: You touched many lives but especially mine, thank you and RIP.
David Foote, DHS 1971
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Margery Kashman posted a condolence
Sunday, March 14, 2021
I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. As adviser to the Hewlett High School newspaper, I was always impressed by the fact that he was a strong advocate for students’ rights and was extremely fair-minded when it came to our discussions of our student newspaper coverage. He always wanted the high school to be a center of community activity.
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Elise Sosenko posted a condolence
Sunday, March 14, 2021
As a teacher and parent of a Hewlett High School student when Don was our Principal. I was so pleased to see how he engaged students and boosted School Spirit at the High Schools. It was so nice to see students join clubs and attend school dances and many other school activities that were never well attended, Don urged me to help him with the South Shore Anti Bias Task Force and we had a pretty good run. I will remember him with find memories.Thinking if you. Fondly, Elise Lucas Sosenko
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Penny Parkin posted a condolence
Saturday, March 13, 2021
My sympathy goes out to the family of Dr. Robbins. He was my history teacher at DHS in 1968-69. He had an enormous impact on his students. My prayers for comfort.
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Peter Fox posted a condolence
Saturday, March 13, 2021
I would like to send my condolences to Dr. Robbins's family as I share their sadness. Doc was my cross-country coach my junior and senior years at DHS, and led us to a county championship in that sport. He pretty much single-handedly made a runner out of me, an effort to which I contributed unenviable raw material. Since that time he has been my ideal, and I imagine that of many others, for the qualities of an outstanding leader: quiet, certainty, humor, compassion. Through 1969 he had over years established a streak of 31 consecutive dual meet victories in spring track, sometimes inspiring his team to defeat more talented opponents. Every person he touched borrowed his excellence.
Rest in peace, Doc.
Peter Fox, DHS '71
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Amy (Craig) Dutter posted a condolence
Friday, March 12, 2021
I vividly remember Dr. Robbins gathering a group of DHS students, soon after the tragic death of our good friend Keith Nelson, to talk about what we could do as a high school community to combat drinking and driving — following approx. 10 years of fatalities due to dui-related accidents.
We brainstormed, met a bunch of times (I think), and soon after launched the first Safe Rides chapter in the U.S. And Safe Rides grew into other regions and took hold, helping countless teenagers get home safely, and only recently-ish (maybe as Uber became mainstream? ) came to an end.
Dr. Robbins was instrumental in that effort, I found him to be a very caring principal, and like many others, I feel grateful to have known him.
~~ Amy (Craig) Dutter (DHS ‘82)
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Johanna Wright posted a condolence
Thursday, March 11, 2021
I was saddened to hear about the loss of my dear friend. Christine my heart goes out to you and your family. It is my honor to say a few words about such a special man, who absolutely adored his family. He loved his wife and stepdaughters. All you needed to do was look at his smile whenever they were mentioned.
Don served with integrity and honor during his tenure as an Educator and Coach. He was courageous enough to be independent and honest enough to say what mattered, when it mattered. He didn’t try to sugarcoat our deficiencies while also being enthusiastic about our possibilities.
I will miss our “Coaches Corner” chats... He loved his student/athletes, and was so proud of the people that they had become. He was at home on the track...
Chris you were an amazing caregiver! Don loved you so very much. He was your Knight in shining armor.
God Bless you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Don is now among the witnesses in the clouds...
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Jay DeVivo posted a condolence
Thursday, March 11, 2021
My condolences to Doc's family and friends. DHS X-Country, Winter and Spring track is where running for fun became running for work. He never asked us to do anything he wouldn't do and do well, but those hills!
I'm sorry for his passing.
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david meeker posted a condolence
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Knew Doc Robbins through Darien High School and Cross country team. He was a big influence during those years. I will miss you David
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Christine Robbins uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
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Don watching his Cross Country Team.
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Christine Robbins uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
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David Brindley uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
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Our condolences and prayers to the family. Doc was such a powerful and inspiring mentor and coach during my high school days at the Blue Wave. I thought you would enjoy some special pictures. For some history, Doc came to us and asked if we wanted to set a national 24 hour relay record. We set the new record!! Please note (last picture) that Doc was at the end of the relay!! (hard to see). All my thoughts. Thank you, David Brindley
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Jeff Saverine posted a condolence
Sunday, March 7, 2021
It was my first day as an inexperienced new member of Doc Robbins' 1972 Darien High School Cross Country Team. He told me he didn't care how slow I might run, but he didn't ever want to see me stop. That was the most important life coaching advice I ever received. And he led our team by example. Running with fierce determination on his damaged knees. I'm so sad to hear of Doc's passing. God Bless you Coach.
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Chris Popov posted a condolence
Sunday, March 7, 2021
"Doc" Robbins was one of the greatest teachers and educational leaders in the history of Darien High School. He was a mentor to my three siblings and me as we passed through DHS. There are too many times to recount here. Safe to say that, when Doc spoke, we all listened. He guided many by being firm, humorous, sensitive, and smart. He was there for us for those inevitable embarrassments of one's high school years. Chris Popov, DHS Class of 1975
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Helen Marie Hall posted a condolence
Sunday, March 7, 2021
It is so wonderful to meet a person who lives the values of a loving, caring, encouraging human being. Don was that person. You cannot be all things to all people, but you can do your best to love and support all. If there were more people like Donald Clark Robbins in the world, boy what a great world we would have!
Chris, you took great care of your loving husband. I am sure that he was comforted to know that you always had his back. May God bless and keep you.
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Garry Leonard uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, March 6, 2021
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Garry Leonard uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, March 6, 2021
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Garry Leonard posted a condolence
Saturday, March 6, 2021
He was a great x-country coach. I especially remember his 'summer challenge': He would give each of us a calendar for the months of June, July and August. The challenge was to write in our daily mileage and, if it added up to 300, he would take us to a steak dinner at Marinara's steak house. I took it incredibly seriously and clocked about 500. but it wasn't the dinner-- running that mileage was my first self-motivated accomplishment. After that, I saw it pay off with a strong performance with the team. That set the formula for other challenges. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a mentor like him when trying to 'grow up'.
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Brian Lindner posted a condolence
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Like many others at Darien High School Doc Robbins had a important impact on my life and the choices I made. As a track coach he was a teacher first and led by example. He helped a tall skinny shy guy have a pretty good track career and helped him gain confidence. He was an excellent mentor to many and a roll model. He was the best sports coach and life coach I ever had. He will be missed but the impression he made on many students will live on.
Brian Lindner
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Kevin Leonard lit a candle
Saturday, March 6, 2021
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Doc was not only a GREAT coach and mentor but a GREAT friend....Kevin Leonard (1969-1972)
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Jeffrey Castle lit a candle
Friday, March 5, 2021
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‘Doc’ was the best coach I ever had and a major influence in my formative years. He coached us to the first county championship that Darien ever had in Cross Country in the fall of 1970. He taught you how to work through challenges and you never wanted to let him down. My condolences to his family.
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Bill Wright lit a candle
Friday, March 5, 2021
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Such an incredible coach to the undefeated 1969 spring track and field team at Darien High School An amazing motivator and caring person. With deep regards to the Robbin’s family for your loss
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Anita O. Mack lit a candle
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
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Sending prayers and condolences to you, Christine, and your family as you grieve the loss of your beloved Don.
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The family of Donald Clark Robbins uploaded a photo
Monday, March 1, 2021
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