"Leonard Roy Robbins, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, sculptor, poet, gardener, chef, genealogist, physician, friend, was born in Houston on February 14, 1927 and died early in the morning on February 15, 2015 at the age of 88. He attended several Houston public schools and graduated from San Jacinto High School at the age of 15. He attended the University of Houston, Rice Institute, and Baylor University College of Medicine where he graduated both the youngest graduate ever and at the top of his class.
Leonard and the love of his life, Sara Jo, married on October 11, 1949 in Houston, Texas and lived for short times in Cleveland, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wichita Falls, Texas, before returning home to Houston in 1954 to raise their family.
Leonard served on the board of the Houston Independent School District from 1969-1972. He served as the board president in 1970 and led the district as its schools were desegregated. In 1971 he chaired a committee of civic leaders that created an unprecedented and innovative educational report The Intervening Years. His board also started HISD's magnet schools, including the gifted and talented program, The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The High School for Health Professions. He voted to begin the Houston Community College and served on its first board. He was instrumental in the creation of the HISD Police Department. This was an important time of change for the city, and Leonard served the district and the city proudly and courageously and often at great personal and professional sacrifice.
During Leonard's successful career as a doctor of internal medicine, specializing in endocrinology, he received honors and awards too numerous to list. He taught medical and nursing students the importance of a humanistic approach to healing. He held leadership roles in many medical organizations. Throughout his 40 years of private practice, he helped countless patients and their families.
He and Sara Jo retired to their dream home they designed and built near Cleveland, Texas in 1988. He enjoyed 21 years of gardening, sculpting and traveling before returning to Houston in 2009. He also spent many enjoyable hours researching his family history, meeting relatives, and publishing Mélange, A Genealogical Love Story.
Survivors include his five children and their families: sons Michael Dennis Robbins and wife Judy, Thomas Joseph Robbins, Brian David Robbins, daughters Alison and husband Michael Peterman, Julie and husband Rickey Campbell; 15 grandchildren, Matthew Robbins and wife Emily, Caitlin Robbins Barber and husband Lute, Leah Robbins Fowler and husband Christian, Nancy Robbins, Jason Natanson and wife Melissa, Michael Peterman, Sara Peterman, Katharyn Peterman, Kirby Peterman, David Robbins, Carolyn Robbins, Amy Campbell, Kirke Campbell, Abbey Campbell and Graeme Campbell; 5 great-grandchildren, Alecsander Natanson, Jonathan and Molly Robbins and Emilia and Bowen Barber; and other extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sara Jo (Jojo) Levy Robbins, and his parents Leon and Celia Robbins (Robinowitz).
The family gives special thanks to Portia Eaglin, Mayang Bitaseme, Diana Moller, Rubie Wade, and the late Pearl Wells for their special companionship and care.
The family will hold a private celebration of Leonard's/Granddaddy's life and asks that in lieu of customary remembrances a donation be made in his honor to the charity of your choice."
[Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 1, 2015]
Leonard and the love of his life, Sara Jo, married on October 11, 1949 in Houston, Texas and lived for short times in Cleveland, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wichita Falls, Texas, before returning home to Houston in 1954 to raise their family.
Leonard served on the board of the Houston Independent School District from 1969-1972. He served as the board president in 1970 and led the district as its schools were desegregated. In 1971 he chaired a committee of civic leaders that created an unprecedented and innovative educational report The Intervening Years. His board also started HISD's magnet schools, including the gifted and talented program, The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The High School for Health Professions. He voted to begin the Houston Community College and served on its first board. He was instrumental in the creation of the HISD Police Department. This was an important time of change for the city, and Leonard served the district and the city proudly and courageously and often at great personal and professional sacrifice.
During Leonard's successful career as a doctor of internal medicine, specializing in endocrinology, he received honors and awards too numerous to list. He taught medical and nursing students the importance of a humanistic approach to healing. He held leadership roles in many medical organizations. Throughout his 40 years of private practice, he helped countless patients and their families.
He and Sara Jo retired to their dream home they designed and built near Cleveland, Texas in 1988. He enjoyed 21 years of gardening, sculpting and traveling before returning to Houston in 2009. He also spent many enjoyable hours researching his family history, meeting relatives, and publishing Mélange, A Genealogical Love Story.
Survivors include his five children and their families: sons Michael Dennis Robbins and wife Judy, Thomas Joseph Robbins, Brian David Robbins, daughters Alison and husband Michael Peterman, Julie and husband Rickey Campbell; 15 grandchildren, Matthew Robbins and wife Emily, Caitlin Robbins Barber and husband Lute, Leah Robbins Fowler and husband Christian, Nancy Robbins, Jason Natanson and wife Melissa, Michael Peterman, Sara Peterman, Katharyn Peterman, Kirby Peterman, David Robbins, Carolyn Robbins, Amy Campbell, Kirke Campbell, Abbey Campbell and Graeme Campbell; 5 great-grandchildren, Alecsander Natanson, Jonathan and Molly Robbins and Emilia and Bowen Barber; and other extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sara Jo (Jojo) Levy Robbins, and his parents Leon and Celia Robbins (Robinowitz).
The family gives special thanks to Portia Eaglin, Mayang Bitaseme, Diana Moller, Rubie Wade, and the late Pearl Wells for their special companionship and care.
The family will hold a private celebration of Leonard's/Granddaddy's life and asks that in lieu of customary remembrances a donation be made in his honor to the charity of your choice."
[Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 1, 2015]
"Leonard Roy Robbins, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, sculptor, poet, gardener, chef, genealogist, physician, friend, was born in Houston on February 14, 1927 and died early in the morning on February 15, 2015 at the age of 88. He attended several Houston public schools and graduated from San Jacinto High School at the age of 15. He attended the University of Houston, Rice Institute, and Baylor University College of Medicine where he graduated both the youngest graduate ever and at the top of his class.
Leonard and the love of his life, Sara Jo, married on October 11, 1949 in Houston, Texas and lived for short times in Cleveland, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wichita Falls, Texas, before returning home to Houston in 1954 to raise their family.
Leonard served on the board of the Houston Independent School District from 1969-1972. He served as the board president in 1970 and led the district as its schools were desegregated. In 1971 he chaired a committee of civic leaders that created an unprecedented and innovative educational report The Intervening Years. His board also started HISD's magnet schools, including the gifted and talented program, The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The High School for Health Professions. He voted to begin the Houston Community College and served on its first board. He was instrumental in the creation of the HISD Police Department. This was an important time of change for the city, and Leonard served the district and the city proudly and courageously and often at great personal and professional sacrifice.
During Leonard's successful career as a doctor of internal medicine, specializing in endocrinology, he received honors and awards too numerous to list. He taught medical and nursing students the importance of a humanistic approach to healing. He held leadership roles in many medical organizations. Throughout his 40 years of private practice, he helped countless patients and their families.
He and Sara Jo retired to their dream home they designed and built near Cleveland, Texas in 1988. He enjoyed 21 years of gardening, sculpting and traveling before returning to Houston in 2009. He also spent many enjoyable hours researching his family history, meeting relatives, and publishing Mélange, A Genealogical Love Story.
Survivors include his five children and their families: sons Michael Dennis Robbins and wife Judy, Thomas Joseph Robbins, Brian David Robbins, daughters Alison and husband Michael Peterman, Julie and husband Rickey Campbell; 15 grandchildren, Matthew Robbins and wife Emily, Caitlin Robbins Barber and husband Lute, Leah Robbins Fowler and husband Christian, Nancy Robbins, Jason Natanson and wife Melissa, Michael Peterman, Sara Peterman, Katharyn Peterman, Kirby Peterman, David Robbins, Carolyn Robbins, Amy Campbell, Kirke Campbell, Abbey Campbell and Graeme Campbell; 5 great-grandchildren, Alecsander Natanson, Jonathan and Molly Robbins and Emilia and Bowen Barber; and other extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sara Jo (Jojo) Levy Robbins, and his parents Leon and Celia Robbins (Robinowitz).
The family gives special thanks to Portia Eaglin, Mayang Bitaseme, Diana Moller, Rubie Wade, and the late Pearl Wells for their special companionship and care.
The family will hold a private celebration of Leonard's/Granddaddy's life and asks that in lieu of customary remembrances a donation be made in his honor to the charity of your choice."
[Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 1, 2015]
Leonard and the love of his life, Sara Jo, married on October 11, 1949 in Houston, Texas and lived for short times in Cleveland, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wichita Falls, Texas, before returning home to Houston in 1954 to raise their family.
Leonard served on the board of the Houston Independent School District from 1969-1972. He served as the board president in 1970 and led the district as its schools were desegregated. In 1971 he chaired a committee of civic leaders that created an unprecedented and innovative educational report The Intervening Years. His board also started HISD's magnet schools, including the gifted and talented program, The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The High School for Health Professions. He voted to begin the Houston Community College and served on its first board. He was instrumental in the creation of the HISD Police Department. This was an important time of change for the city, and Leonard served the district and the city proudly and courageously and often at great personal and professional sacrifice.
During Leonard's successful career as a doctor of internal medicine, specializing in endocrinology, he received honors and awards too numerous to list. He taught medical and nursing students the importance of a humanistic approach to healing. He held leadership roles in many medical organizations. Throughout his 40 years of private practice, he helped countless patients and their families.
He and Sara Jo retired to their dream home they designed and built near Cleveland, Texas in 1988. He enjoyed 21 years of gardening, sculpting and traveling before returning to Houston in 2009. He also spent many enjoyable hours researching his family history, meeting relatives, and publishing Mélange, A Genealogical Love Story.
Survivors include his five children and their families: sons Michael Dennis Robbins and wife Judy, Thomas Joseph Robbins, Brian David Robbins, daughters Alison and husband Michael Peterman, Julie and husband Rickey Campbell; 15 grandchildren, Matthew Robbins and wife Emily, Caitlin Robbins Barber and husband Lute, Leah Robbins Fowler and husband Christian, Nancy Robbins, Jason Natanson and wife Melissa, Michael Peterman, Sara Peterman, Katharyn Peterman, Kirby Peterman, David Robbins, Carolyn Robbins, Amy Campbell, Kirke Campbell, Abbey Campbell and Graeme Campbell; 5 great-grandchildren, Alecsander Natanson, Jonathan and Molly Robbins and Emilia and Bowen Barber; and other extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sara Jo (Jojo) Levy Robbins, and his parents Leon and Celia Robbins (Robinowitz).
The family gives special thanks to Portia Eaglin, Mayang Bitaseme, Diana Moller, Rubie Wade, and the late Pearl Wells for their special companionship and care.
The family will hold a private celebration of Leonard's/Granddaddy's life and asks that in lieu of customary remembrances a donation be made in his honor to the charity of your choice."
[Published in Houston Chronicle on Mar. 1, 2015]
