{
In Memoriam
}
Remembering
William S. Robbins Below the senior picture of William Shonk Robbins in the 1956 “Senatus” yearbook is a quote from Bill, a sentiment that seemed to stay with him for the remainder of his life: “I like it here.” For those who knew Bill and the impact his joyful spirit and enthusiasm had on Davis & Elkins College, we can be awfully glad he did. We have been blessed by his love for this College and for this place. Davis & Elkins College Alumnus and Trustee William S. Robbins, ’56, died September 26, 2010, after a 14-month battle with cancer, following a short stay at the Hospice of the VNA Inpatient Unit at Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre, PA. He was born September 6, 1934, in Wilkes-Barre, the son of Walter S. and Elisabeth S. Robbins. He resided in Bear Creek, PA, for fifty-three years, where he attended Kingston, PA, schools, including Wyoming Seminary for three years, and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy. In 1956, he graduated from Davis & Elkins College. He then completed two and a half years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Afterward, he joined his father in the family business, Robbins Door and Sash, where he eventually earned the title of President. Bill’s service as a Trustee of the College, which began in 1976, was based on three determining principles he used to characterize a loyal trustee: to be the best he could be in devotion to the College; to help financially if possible and work for the school in as many capacities as time allows; and, above all, to develop a strong love for the school.
He fulfilled all three. Bill was devoted to students. From attending nearly every home game and many away games, to hosting special events for students and making numerous gifts in support of Senator Athletics, Bill provided an uplifting blend of moral and financial support to the entire College. He provided needed facilities, creating the Madden Student Center and the RobbinsMadden Fitness Center, contributing to The James S. McDonnell Center for Health, Physical Education & Athletics, and restoring the beautiful Robbins Chapel which was dedicated and named in memory of his parents in 1996. Bill honored the memory of students with the beautiful stone markers outside the chapel, and created two endowed scholarships for current and future students: The Robert David Doria Memorial Scholarship (in memory of a friend) and the William S. Robbins & Deborah Madden Scholarship. Always thinking of how he could help people, in 2009, he purchased automated cardiac defibrillators that are found throughout campus, and in 2010, he funded the renovation of five classrooms, including “smart” classroom technology. In June, he was recognized for his love of and dedication to D&E and the State of West Virginia by Governor Joe Manchin, III, who named Bill an Honorary West Virginian. Finally, Bill planned ahead and named D&E as the beneficiary of his IRA, providing unrestricted support to the College worth more than $200,000 after his death. Bill's survivors include his beloved lifelong companion, Deborah Madden; four sons, William S. Jr., of Tunkhannock, PA; Donald & wife Liz of Saint Augustine, Fl; Mark of Forty-Fort, PA; Scott of Bear Creek, PA; sister Jean Hughes of Kingston, PA; and two grandsons, Billy and Jack Robbins; as well as nieces and nephews in the Hughes, Madden, and Padavan families. A memorial service was held in Robbins Chapel on October 14. Many long-time D&E friends shared their remembrances and thanks for his friendship, including: President Smith, D&E Chaplain and Professor of English Dr. Robert McCutcheon, 2010 Graduate Parker Kwafo, President of D&E Student Assembly Brandie Ward, Coordinator of Parent Relations and Special Projects Lisa Senic, Professor of Nursing Dr. Carol Cochran, NY Mets Pitcher Tobi Stoner, Head
Coach for Women’s Basketball Jason Asbell; his son, D&E Trustee and assistant professor of Mathematics at Flagler College Don Robbins; fellow Trustee and long-time friend Richard Hughes, and Chair of D&E’s Board of Trustees Paul Stirrup. Other participants in the service included student Alex Torres, D&E Artistin-Residence Jack Gibbons, and the Davis & Elkins College Choir. Memorial donations may be made to The William S. Robbins Memorial Fund at Davis & Elkins College, 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 262413996 and to Hospice of the VNA Inpatient Unit at Heritage House, 80 Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701 (in honor of the nursing staff) or The American Cancer Society (specifically for esophageal cancer) 190 Welles Street, Suite 118, Forty Fort, PA, 18704. We remember the care Bill shared with us – the essence, perhaps, best captured in his own words, during his service as a Trustee: “I think the most important thing in the world today is education. Without it, we have nothing…We have a wonderful college, a lovely community. I can only see it expanding and growing. And when I step on our campus, I can feel its heart beat. I really can. I just love it. I’m proud to be a part of it, and I always will be.”