Harold G. Robinson, Jr.
IN MEMORIAM
~1937 - 2011

21 January 2011, Biography written by Grey Whipple

Our classmate, Harold G. Robinson, Jr., known to all as just plain Hal, passed away on 14 January 2011 from complications from Parkinson's Disease and pneumonia. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann. I have waited to send this note, hoping that an "official" obituary would be forthcoming, but absent that, here's what I remember about Hal.

I recall that Hal arrived at Washington Elementary School in time to be included in our 7th grade class photo. Hal ran varsity track at BHS and was a member of the Costaņos Hi-Y club. The Robinson family probably lived in the shadow of Hal's dad, Harold G. Robinson, Sr., a famous national crime-buster of the 1950's. I cannot recall ever meeting Hal's father or being invited into their home.

Hal did not fall into his father's footsteps. At some point in his life, Hal entered the Maritime Academy and rose in experience to become a Master Mariner, qualified and licensed to command any merchant ship in any waters of the world. His closing years leading to retirement found him piloting ships through the Panama Canal. He was there for D-Day, December 1989 when the United States invasion of Panama began. Hal spoke of rockets streaking overhead and the boom of artillery.

In retirement, Hal and Jo Ann lived in a home in Forestville near the Russian River. They later moved to Santa Rosa and were there until his passing.






Hal's Official Obituary

Captain Harold "Hal" Robinson Died on Jan. 14, 2011 from complications of Parkinson's disease. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, JoAnn. Hal was a graduate of Burlingame High School and spent three years in the Navy. He developed a love of ships, the sea, and travel. He spent his career following that path. He graduated from the California Maritime Academy in 1962 as a deck officer. Hal sailed with the merchant marines for twelve years and then spent eighteen years as a Panama Canal Pilot. He was a member of the local chapter of CAMM. He had many hobbies including keeping bees. A private family scattering of his ashes at sea will be at a later date. Donations in Hal's memory may be made to the California Maritime Academy, Hal & JoAnn Robinson Scholarship Endowment, 200 Maritime Academy Dr., Vallejo, CA 94590. Published in San Francisco Chronicle on February 13, 2011 CAMM = Council of American Master Mariners