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Ed Robison: A Celebration of his Life

Donald Edward Robison, known to all as Ed and to his grandchildren as Grandpa Donald, passed away peacefully in his beloved Hyde Park home with loved ones at his side, on Friday, November 16 at the age of 87.

He is survived by his son, David Robison; his three daughters, Jean Robison Weglinski, Julie Cook, Rebecca Robison-Veprek; his adoring grandchildren Michaela Weglinski, Andrew Weglinski, Alexander Robison, Kyra Veprek, Leah Veprek, and Lola Cook; his sister Janet Moore; as well as several nieces and nephews and great- nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by his former wife and mother of his children Emily Robison; his daughter-in-law Anitra Dreyfuss; his sons-in-law Jim Weglinski, Dave Cook, and Gregory Veprek; and his brother-in-law Conrad Moore.

He was born in Alturas, CA in 1931 to Donald David and Thelma Blanch Robison who adoringly referred to him as "Eddy Boy." He spent his young childhood in San Gabriel CA before moving with his family to Springfield, Oregon, where he went to high school. He received his Bachelor's degree at University of Oregon, where he was also a pole vaulter on the college track team. He then served two years in the Army and was stationed at White Sands proving ground in New Mexico during the time of the Korean War. He went on to earn his Masters and PhD from Ohio State University and worked as a statistician at TRW systems for 12 years on an engine for the lunar module while raising his family in Torrance, CA. He then made a career change that brought his family across the country to their home in Hyde Park, NY upon securing a position as college professor at Union College teaching graduate courses in computer science and operations research for 25 years, retiring in 1996. He remained in his cherished home in Hyde Park for 47 years.

He was an avid nature lover, well known for taking family and friends on his favorite hikes at North Lake and throughout the Hudson Valley. He loved taking long walks at the Vanderbilt Estate as well as up and down his street on Hudson Drive, where he would look around at his surroundings and contentedly sigh, "Beautiful." Throughout his life, he would regularly return to the Pacific Northwest to spend time with his sister and her family and to visit one of his favorite places, the Oregon coast.

Community was very important to Ed, and, he valued being a member of the Hyde Park Reformed Dutch Church for all his years in Hyde Park. He loved singing in the church choir and he enthusiastically participated in church events such as the chicken barbeque dinners where he would manage lists of hundreds of people waiting to be served, and would later be found in the kitchen washing dishes into the night. He was also a devoted member of the Rhinebeck Choral Club for 15 years, enjoying the comradery and teamwork with his colleagues in creating and performing beautiful harmonies together, while also serving as the Club's librarian.

Music, theater, and dance were among Ed's many passions, interests and hobbies. He avidly attended live performances of all kinds such as the 35 times he saw David in his role as assistant conductor and pianist of Phantom of the Opera, the many theatrical and musical performances of Jean, Julie, Becky, and his grandchildren, as well as regularly attending concerts and plays of all kinds throughout the Hudson Valley. Ed loved comic book art and was an avid collector, loved all things Walt Disney, and enjoyed regularly heading off to the movie theater for the latest release. He was dedicated to his hobby as a home-movie maker and videographer, and he enriched all of our lives by capturing moments and milestones of each child and grandchild. Later in life, Ed and a few buddies formed the "Seniors Roller Coaster Club," where he and his senior friends would drive together to an amusement park to ride the roller coasters together!

Ed had a zest and appreciation of everyday life to be admired and to be strived for by all. Our whole family wishes to thank everyone who loved and cared for Ed as he faced each new day with his disease in the last decade of life, with an extra special thanks to Julie and David for ensuring he would reside safely and happily in his Hyde Park home that he so loved, for all of his days.