1929
George
2008
George Robinson
March 30, 1929 — January 21, 2008
George H. Robinson, age 78, of Perham, MN, died Monday, January 21, 2008, at the McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, TX. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 28, 2008, beginning at 11:00 am at the Perham United Methodist Church, with Pastor Fair Caldwell-Meeks officiating. Burial will follow in the Richville Village Cemetery, Richville, MN. Visitation will be held Monday, January 28, from 9 am - 11 am at the church.
George Herbert Robinson was born March 30, 1929, the son of David and Francelia (Young) Robinson, was born in a rural farm home near Eskridge, Kansas. He attended grade school in a stone one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Eskridge High School in 1947.
George met Betty Jean Harding at Kansas State University and after a three year courtship they were married in 1951. Shortly after graduating from college, with a degree in dairy manufacturing, George was drafted into the army and served in Korea with the 25th Infantry Division. After his discharge, George worked as the mix maker for the Swift Ice Cream Company in Wichita. He later became the manager of the Hays Creamery Co. As young entrepreneurs, he and his brother, Wallace, purchased the creamery in 1954 and manufactured the private brands Kings Kwality ice cream and Queens Treat ice milk, sold to restaurants and grocery stores in western Kansas. They went on to open two ice cream parlors in the area.
In 1959 George and Wallace acquired the Robinson Transport Inn, a truck stop located on Highway 40. Added to family lore were stories of celebrities served and characters passing through; Duke Ellington, Tiny Tim, and a broken down semi trailer full of giraffes, to name a few.
Tragically, the Robinson partnership ended with Wallace's death in 1964. The ice cream business was sold, and with Betty Jean's help, George continued to run the truck stop for a few more years before deciding to pursue another career.
George was hired as the USDA Resident Commodity Inspector Grader for the Perham, MN, Land O' Lakes milk drying plant in 1968. The plant later expanded to make cheese. He traveled in northwestern Minnesota inspecting creameries, trucks, and dairy plants for 16 years. He was then assigned as a traveling Field Commodity Grader and Inspector. In this position, he traveled frequently throughout the Midwest and occasionally to California.
Before going on the road with his job, George was an active member of the Perham Rotary and he thoroughly enjoyed being on a first name basis with the business and professional people of Perham.
Retiring in 1994, George turned his energies to volunteer work. He continued to serve leadership roles in the Perham United Methodist church and became an active Gideon member, humbly speaking from his heart to church congregations about the Gideon mission. A long-time member of the Lady Slipper Garden Club, George took great joy in sharing the bounty of his vegetable and flower garden.
In the 40 years the Robinson's have lived on the north shore of Boedigheimer Lake, they have strived to be stewards of the environment so future generations may enjoy the beauty of God's creation. George helped organize the Lake Association and as a member of the board, shared his knowledge of Boedigheimer Lake's ecology.
George shared his passion of Christian faith, nature, and fishing with his family. His teachings gave his children and grandchildren a strong spiritual foundation and deep respect for the world around them.
He will be greatly missed by his family; Betty Jean, wife and partner of 57 years; sons, Eugene, Moorhead MN; George Allen (Carla), Nobelsville IN; daughter, Audrey (Craig), St. Paul MN; and grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew, David, Alissa, Dominic, Antonio, Kelsey, Tom, Danica and Alyssa. He is also survived by a sister, Janet Sweat (Ron), Manhattan, KS.
Preceding George in death are his parents and brother, Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Perham United Methodist Church or the Gideons.
George Herbert Robinson was born March 30, 1929, the son of David and Francelia (Young) Robinson, was born in a rural farm home near Eskridge, Kansas. He attended grade school in a stone one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Eskridge High School in 1947.
George met Betty Jean Harding at Kansas State University and after a three year courtship they were married in 1951. Shortly after graduating from college, with a degree in dairy manufacturing, George was drafted into the army and served in Korea with the 25th Infantry Division. After his discharge, George worked as the mix maker for the Swift Ice Cream Company in Wichita. He later became the manager of the Hays Creamery Co. As young entrepreneurs, he and his brother, Wallace, purchased the creamery in 1954 and manufactured the private brands Kings Kwality ice cream and Queens Treat ice milk, sold to restaurants and grocery stores in western Kansas. They went on to open two ice cream parlors in the area.
In 1959 George and Wallace acquired the Robinson Transport Inn, a truck stop located on Highway 40. Added to family lore were stories of celebrities served and characters passing through; Duke Ellington, Tiny Tim, and a broken down semi trailer full of giraffes, to name a few.
Tragically, the Robinson partnership ended with Wallace's death in 1964. The ice cream business was sold, and with Betty Jean's help, George continued to run the truck stop for a few more years before deciding to pursue another career.
George was hired as the USDA Resident Commodity Inspector Grader for the Perham, MN, Land O' Lakes milk drying plant in 1968. The plant later expanded to make cheese. He traveled in northwestern Minnesota inspecting creameries, trucks, and dairy plants for 16 years. He was then assigned as a traveling Field Commodity Grader and Inspector. In this position, he traveled frequently throughout the Midwest and occasionally to California.
Before going on the road with his job, George was an active member of the Perham Rotary and he thoroughly enjoyed being on a first name basis with the business and professional people of Perham.
Retiring in 1994, George turned his energies to volunteer work. He continued to serve leadership roles in the Perham United Methodist church and became an active Gideon member, humbly speaking from his heart to church congregations about the Gideon mission. A long-time member of the Lady Slipper Garden Club, George took great joy in sharing the bounty of his vegetable and flower garden.
In the 40 years the Robinson's have lived on the north shore of Boedigheimer Lake, they have strived to be stewards of the environment so future generations may enjoy the beauty of God's creation. George helped organize the Lake Association and as a member of the board, shared his knowledge of Boedigheimer Lake's ecology.
George shared his passion of Christian faith, nature, and fishing with his family. His teachings gave his children and grandchildren a strong spiritual foundation and deep respect for the world around them.
He will be greatly missed by his family; Betty Jean, wife and partner of 57 years; sons, Eugene, Moorhead MN; George Allen (Carla), Nobelsville IN; daughter, Audrey (Craig), St. Paul MN; and grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew, David, Alissa, Dominic, Antonio, Kelsey, Tom, Danica and Alyssa. He is also survived by a sister, Janet Sweat (Ron), Manhattan, KS.
Preceding George in death are his parents and brother, Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Perham United Methodist Church or the Gideons.
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