James Edward Robbins III – Obituary

LA JOLLA, CA – James Edward Robbins III, 83, passed away September 20, 2014 at his home in La Jolla, CA, surrounded by loving family. Jim was born May 11, 1931 to James Edward Robbins, Jr., and Marguerite Cleary Robbins in Renovo, Pennsylvania. He is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Laura Robbins Calo and Marguerite Robbins Widmann, and his first wife Anne Caton.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 43 Years, Dorothy Raye “Dottie” Bell Robbins; sons, Mark Robbins (Renee), Jim Robbins (Sharon); daughters, Lori Anne Lorentz, Katie Robbins, and Ellen Robbins; grandchildren, Aspen Harmon, Andrea Lorentz, Karuna Kaufman, Grant Robbins, Jim Robbins and Jake Robbins; and by his many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and his brother Frank Robbins (Carrie) of Rancho Penasquitos, CA.

Following graduation from Renovo High School, Jim served during the Korean War in the U.S. Navy as Petty Officer First Class. He served as courier in the combat zone at Munsan-Ni and worked with a team of SeaBeas and contractors to prepare a secure communications hub for the Seventh Fleet; Jim also served as leading Interior Communications petty officer aboard the USS Nereus, AS17. He was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal with Asia Clasp, and Good Conduct Medal.

Returning to civilian life, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Electrical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Science degree in mathematics at San Diego State University where he later held a position as Instructor in Advanced Engineering Mathematics.

Jim’s many friends and colleagues throughout the years at General Dynamics, Librascope, Ryan, Trimble, SAIC, and Cibola Information Systems will remember him for his valuable research and design contributions to the development of military, aerospace, and industrial navigation and guidance systems and GPS applications. His work took him to live for a number of years in Yuma, AZ, Half Moon Bay, CA, and Seal Beach, CA, before returning to the home that he had maintained in La Jolla for more than 50 years.

Jim was truly an amazing person; he was a forest fire fighter, lifeguard, accomplished musician (saxophone), surfer, skin diver, fisherman, hunter, mechanic, woodworker, mathematician and engineer. He was a VFW Post Commander and a member of the American Legion, NRA, Institute of Navigation, Mensa, Intertel, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Rocket Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Institute of Radio Engineers, and the Society of Professional Engineers.

This loving, caring, generous and patriotic man of exceptional intellect, talent and humor will be sorely missed and forever remembered by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him. A scattering of ashes ceremony will be conducted at sea aboard a U.S. Navy vessel.