Rob Robinson, 66,
Led Otsego County
Chamber For 16 Years
Otsego County business for almost two decades as Chamber of Commerce president, died Jan. 18, 2019, after a long illness.
He was born on April 6, 1952; the youngest of four boys of the union of Susanne Babette Schuster and Harold Emmett Robinson, in McArthur Ohio.
In his infancy, Rob had exploratory surgery where it was discovered that one kidney was diseased and was removed. Instead of playing school sports, Rob participated along the sidelines, football manager & assistant coach and basketball play-by-play for a local radio station.
With his mother an employee at Ohio University, Rob was able to attend and graduate from OU, becoming a dedicated OU supporter. It was at WOUB that he met, dated and married the love of his life, Elizabeth Walton. They were privately married on September 1, 1973 at the home of Roger and Eldonna Ashley and remarried publicly for her parents on December 22, 1973 in McArthur Ohio.
Upon graduation, Rob became the first full-time employee of West Virginia Public Radio in Beckley, WV. Elizabeth joined him in the fall and became a member of the radio’s part-time staff. Their oldest, Rick was born at the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, a miner’s hospital.
After establishing the WVA regional radio system [WVPB], Rob was recruited to do the same for Maine Public Broadcasting Network [MPBN], and the family moved to Bangor, Maine. It was here that their second son, Scott was born.
Four years later Rob again was recruited by WSKG in Binghamton, NY. His career there started as Radio Station Manager and progressed to Chief Operating Officer of WSKG Radio and TV.
After moving approximately every four years, Rob and his family stayed in Binghamton long enough that both sons entered and graduated from the Binghamton School District.
On a clear summer day on a train traveling through the Rockies, Rob stated “there’s more to life than public broadcasting.” Leaving WSKG, he marketed a construction management firm; was Majority Leader Jim Tallon’s legislative aide specializing in economic development; and finally became the President and CEO of the Otsego County Chamber. In the 17-years at the helm of the Chamber, Rob moved it to one of the strongest in NYS through recruitment of top-notch companies.
Rob is survived by wife Elizabeth Walton Robinson, son Rick and Aida, her daughter Faith of Oneonta; son Scott and fiancée Rachael of Bethel, Maine.
He is further survived by his brother Tom and Sally of Largo, Fla and their two sons Tom and Roy, as well as Sister-in-law Jane Dunn of Clarksburg, Ohio and children Tim, Tara and Todd. Many Robinson great nieces and nephews. Additionally, brother-in-Law John Walton and his wife Carol and their son Tom, all of Cleveland, Ohio, survive him.
Rob was predeceased by his mother Susi Tripp, step-father Leonard Tripp, oldest brother Harold and brother Roy [KIA Vietnam]. The death of his brother Roy impacted him the rest of his life.
At Rob’s request, we will be celebrating his life with a party. Please join us at the Oneonta Veterans Club on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 1-4 pm, 279 Chestnut St, Oneonta, NY. Please bring your smile, your laughter and a favorite Rob story.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Les Grummons Funeral Home.