Richard J. "Dick" Robison

Richard J. "Dick" Robison Sr., 92, of East Springfield, passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Pleasant Ridge Manor.

Dick was born on June 1, 1931, in Fairview Township, a son of the late J. Robert and Anabel (Davis) Robison.

He graduated from West Springfield High School in 1950, where he was well known as a baseball and basketball player for the Springfield Wildcats. Following high school, he began work as a Machinist Apprentice for Nickel Plate Railroad. When war broke out on the Korean Peninsula, Dick was inducted into the U.S. Army. He deployed to Korea with  Heavy Tank Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, where he was stationed at the infamous "Outpost Harry" and distinguished himself under combat operations there. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Good Conduct Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Medal and the Korean War Service Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he returned home and completed his work with the Nickel Plate Railroad Machinist Apprenticeship, thereby becoming a Journeyman Machinist. He worked for various machining companies in the area, including RP&C Valve and American Sterilizer. He had most recently been employed at Evergreen Lake Campground in Conneaut, OH, where he retired from in 1994. He and his wife, Helen, had also camped there 32 years. During his retirement years, he continued employment with Dan Seaman at Elk Creek Sports Store since 1994.
 
He was a life member and Past Commander of the Springfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4965, where he also held all major offices. He was a member of the Girard American Legion Post #494, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in East Springfield, was active for 20 years with the Springfield Seniors, an active member of the Federated Church of East Springfield since the age of 11, where he was head usher many, many years. At the age of 13 years, he began his involvement with the Springfield Volunteer Fire Dept., where he was a life member and member of the Board of Directors and Past Fire Police Chief. He was a longtime member of the Springfield Cemetery Association and enjoyed his time bowling in Conneaut at El Camp Alley. He was a little league Umpire in the area for many years and a Constable for Springfield Township.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen G. (Harmon) Robison on September 7, 2023, whom he married, April 5, 1952, at the Girard United Methodist Church; also a daughter in law, Terry (Broeckel) Robison in 2019, also by a sister, Frances Broda and Edna Block and grandson, Greg Broeckel in 2017.

He will be greatly missed by his family, which include a daughter, Kathryn M. Paden (Ty) of Conneaut, OH; three sons, Donald J. Robison (Nancy) of Jamestown, NY, Robert R. Robison of Sturgeon Bay, WI, R. John Robison Jr. (Chris) of Anderson, IN; twelve grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Friday from 3 to 5PM and 7 to 9PM at the Edder Funeral Home Inc., 309 Main St. East, Girard and are invited to attend services at the Federated Church of East Springfield on Saturday at 10AM with Pastor Ed Huntley officiating. 

Burial will be in the Springfield Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to the Federated Church or the Springfield VFW Post #4965.

To send condolences visit eddefuneralhome.com.

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