Frank Robinson, PhD

Frank B. Robinson, PhD of Kalamazoo, was born June 29, 1914, in Chicago. He died on December 1, 2014 in Kalamazoo. His parents were Frank, Sr., and Alice Beree Robinson. His education included a BA degree from Western Michigan College of Education, an MA from the University of Minnesota and Ph. D from Ohio State. His professional employment began in 1944 as an instructor with a teaching/clinical position at Western Michigan University and continued with a similar position at Ohio State in 1947. In 1951 he accepted a position at Miami (Ohio) University. There he introduced a degree program in Speech and Hearing and established a teaching clinic for student instruction. Promoted to full professorship in 1956, "Doc R," as he was known to his students, remained at Miami until 1966. He then accepted an invitation to return to Western Michigan where he succeeded Charles Van Riper as head of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. Holding that position until 1977, when he resigned to teach and do clinic work, he retired in January 1980. He was a Fellow of the American Speech and Hearing Association, an Honored member of the Michigan Speech and Hearing Association and a Life Member of the American Psychological Association. Frank married Alice Virginia Grandy of Marshall, Michigan in 1940. The Robinsons had three children, all of whom survived the death of Alice in 1985 and Frank presently. They are Gerrie (Walter) Kupper, Baltimore, MD; Captain (USNR Retired) Michael (Ruth) Robinson, El Cerrito, CA, and Margaret "Meg" Robinson, Allen, TX. Also surviving are grandchildren David (Danielle Cost) Robinson, Scott (Nancy Kawase) Robinson, Thomas (Melanie Novak) Kupper; great-grandchildren Laura Kupper and Miles, Delia and Fiona Robinson. Several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews will dearly miss their "Uncle Bud". Cremation is scheduled. Interment will take place at Columbia Cemetery, Williams County, Ohio. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a later date, to be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions are gratefully accepted to the Miami University Foundation, Speech Pathology & Audiology Fund, 725 E. Chestnut Street, Oxford, OH 45056. Please note in memory of Frank B. Robinson. Arrangements by Redmond Funeral Home, 4100 S. Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008 (269) 343-6156. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net