Ronald Jay Robinson

Ronald Jay Robinson was born on August 1, 1942, in Colfax, Wash., to Ben and Agnes (McCormick) Robinson. He grew up working the family farm and attended school in Garfield, Wash. He joined the Army in 1959 and was stationed in Hanau, Germany, serving as an ordinance mechanic with the 814th Engineer Company. After the military, he worked for the Garfield Grange and joined Local 370 working in the Pacific Northwest. He had a job along the Snake River in Lewiston, Idaho, that was so hot the peanut butter melted on his sandwich. He quit and said he was going where his peanut butter wouldn't melt, so he moved north to Alaska the summer of 1969 where he joined the Local 302 Operators in Fairbanks and worked on many jobs including the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. He would eventually go on to run his own construction company until retirement.

For over 50 years, Ron would spend his summers working Alaska construction jobs and return home to visit family and friends in the Palouse area during the winters. It was during one of his earliest trips home that he met his wife, Marlene. She ventured north with him and they were married on June 11, 1970, at the original Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska. Their 54 years of marriage brought many adventures, trips back and forth on the Alcan and two children: John Robinson (Kasey) and Kim Robinson Kersten (Jason) and nine grandchildren all living in Alaska (Shelby, Brooks, Wyatt, Vale, Wren, Maeve, Lauden, Millie and Josie).

Over the years Ron acquired land in Delta Junction where during his "retirement" he would ultimately take to farming with his favorite partner, best friend, and son, John. Ron farmed until the day he was no longer able to do so, at the age of 80. He built a life in Alaska, but the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho always held a special place in his heart. He took great pride in keeping the family farm where he grew up in the family. His work ethic and ability to build very complicated equipment simply by looking at examples was extraordinary. He was fiercely strong-willed, independent, and resilient until the very end. He once had a teacher tell him he wasn't going to be anything when he grew up and he made it his life's mission to prove her wrong. He did so time and time again.

Ron is survived by his wife, Marlene, his kids, and grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.