Dana Increase ROBINSON
Obituary

PORTLAND, Maine - Dana Increase Robinson, 88, of Concord, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2011.

Born in Tientsin, China, the son of missionary parents Arthur G. and Marian R. Robinson, he lived abroad for nearly 15 years growing up with his two sisters Elizabeth and Marianne, and brother David. He graduated from Colby College, a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. During World War II he took part in the V-12 program at Bates College and was commissioned an officer in the Navy, serving in both WWII and the Korean War. His career revolved around his lifelong passion to develop better relationships between China and the United States, in the belief that by getting the two countries to depend on each other economically peaceful relationships would be fostered. He began working in the semi-conductor industry in its early stages with Raytheon, and worked in the defense field and in the electronics industry private sector throughout his life.

He met and married his wife, Harriet Nourse Robinson, while at Colby College. They married July 17, 1948 and traveled the world for 62 years. They raised three boys in homes around the world in Arlington, Va.; Sudbury, Mass.; Yokohama, Japan; Stamford, Conn.; and back to Sudbury, Mass. In subsequent years they lived in Reston, Va.; Juno Beach, Fla. and Beijing, China. Six years ago they returned to New England to 'retire' and live near Harriet's dear sister Frances Johnston in Concord.

Harriet predeceased Dana by just four short weeks. His last conversation Saturday evening was reflecting on meeting Harriet on Valentine's Day so many years ago.

He is survived by his three children, Steven Robinson and his wife Shelley of Bethesda, Md., Davis Robinson and his wife Libby Marcus of Portland, Maine, and Timothy Robinson and his wife Barbara of Middlebury, Vt. In addition he leaves five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and a cherished extended family.

An avid tennis player for over 75 years, Dana fell in love with the game of golf late in life, attending PGA events; following tournament coverage; and most importantly working on his own golf game with the goal of shooting his age. He never reached the magic point of being old enough and shooting low enough to get there but enjoyed the pursuit at Beaver Meadows in Concord with his golf buddies.

A memorial service and afternoon reception is planned for Saturday, October 1, at the family farm in Albion, Maine, to celebrate the lives of both Dana and Harriet.

Arrangements are by Independent Death Care of Maine, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland, Maine. To offer words of condolence and share memories with the family, please go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com.

Gifts may be directed to the Soong Ching Ling Foundation at sclf.cri.cn.

The Concord Monitor, Concord, New Hampshire
Sept. 25, 2011



Learn more about the life of      Dana Increase ROBINSON.