Robert Lee Robbins Sr.
( October 10, 1925 – February 24, 2017 )
Robert Lee Robbins, Sr. was born to Rolla and Edith (Greeson) Robbins of Hortense, Missouri on October 10, 1925. Robert was their only child.Robert worked in the family owned and operated Country Store as a young boy at Hortense and Huntingdale. He attended High School at Norris and graduated in 1944. He played on the school basketball team and was offered a basketball scholarship to college. World War II draft had begun and he chose to enlist in the United States Navy instead of attending college.
Robert was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. Upon his return, he enrolled in the Kansas City Trade School to learn basic electronics. He finished his advanced training in Chicago, Illinois and began working for Radio Craftsman Company after graduation.
During a trip back to visit his family, he met his future wife, Mary Hamilton. He met Mary at the local soda fountain shop on the Clinton Square. They were married in 1949 for 48 years, until her death in 1997.
They started their married life in Chicago, Illinois then moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, before returning to Clinton, Missouri.
The Robbins family returned to Clinton in 1959, purchasing 80 acres of land and a small herd of cattle, just east of Clinton. Robert opened a small business called Robbins TV that was located on Main Street near the square. In 1965, he partnered with his long time friend, Kenneth Lasswell and renamed the business to R & L Radio and TV that was located on the Southeast Corner of the Square.
The R & L Radio and TV incorporated new cordless technology that was about 30 years before its time. They owned and operated a mobile telephone and answering service for the local businesses and physicians that was decades before cell phones were available. The third partner, Jim Ragsdale joined the R & L Radio and TV in later years. Robert Robbins, Jr. bought the company after their retirement, and changed the name to Robert Lee’s TV.
In 1998, Robert married Mary Boyd of Clinton. They lived at 904 S. Sixth Terrace in Clinton. They were married for 18 years. Robert and Mary attended the First Baptist Church in Clinton through most of their married life. Robert and Mary enjoyed being members to the Elite Advantage Club at the Hawthorn Bank and attended many of their bus trips in their retirement years. Robert was also a member of the American Legion in Clinton, MO
Mary survives her husband, Robert. She resides at the Clinton Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Robert has two children, daughter, Linda Miller and husband Marvin of Warrensburg, MO and son, Robert Robbins, Jr. and wife, Pamela of Clinton, MO. Robert has two step-daughters, Mary Beth Norman and husband, Jerry of Olathe, Kansas and Becky Reser and husband, Ron of Branson, MO. Robert’s grandchildren include Daniel Vaughn, Marva Miller, Jacob Miller and wife, Amber, Samuel Miller, Robin (Robbins) Beach and husband, Jeremy, Bethany (Waugh) Istas. Robert has seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Kayla and Kyle Miller, Jacob Carter, Trinity and Elijah Miller, Bray Istas.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri