The Fresno Bee | FresnoBee.com
LOCAL
JUNE 26, 2015 7:04 PM
Former Fresno County counsel passes away
Robinson worked 30 years for Fresno County
Robinson was county counsel for six years
Suffered from Parkinson’s for 15 years
Max Robinson
BY MARC BENJAMIN
[email protected]
Former Fresno County Counsel Max Edward Robinson, a man described as a “splendid lawyer and a gentleman” and “an excellent legal research man,” passed away Tuesday in Fresno. He was 82.
Mr. Robinson was in hospice care for three weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer and bone cancer last month, said his wife, Shirley Robinson.
“There was nothing they could do for him,” she said. “He fought the battle every day, but his spirits were always good.”
A memorial service for Mr. Robinson will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
Mr. Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office for 30 years before retiring in 1991, his final six years serving as the head of that department. He was Fresno County’s third county counsel, following Robert Wash and Floyd Viau.
He was named county counsel in 1985 after serving as the interim leader and remained in the post until the end of 1991.
30: Number of years Max Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office
He joined the office in 1961 as a deputy county counsel and became assistant county counsel in 1973.
In 1985, Wash described Mr. Robinson as “very reserved, not pushy, but fundamentally a very strong lawyer…he was my strong right hand for many years.”
Former Fresno County Counsel Dennis Marshall, who was hired by Mr. Robinson in 1988, called his former boss “a splendid mentor” and “a first-rate legal mind.”
He said Mr. Robinson’s personality was sometimes misinterpreted, because he was tougher than he appeared. Marshall said the Board of Supervisors wanted the county’s lawyers to take a harder line approach in their cases, and Mr. Robinson led the office through that transition.
“Max was soft-spoken, and some people thought it was a lack of resolve, but he was tough-minded and he pursued litigation aggressively,” Marshall said. “Max really turned the office around into more of an aggressive posture in lawyering.”
He also set an example for the staff, coming in early, staying late and bringing positive energy to the office.
“He was as honest and straightforward as you could get,” Marshall said.
HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST. HE WAS ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE HE DEALT WITH, AND AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I LOOKED TO MAX FOR ALL THE LEGAL EXPERTISE I NEEDED. HE WAS ALWAYS PATIENT AND GENEROUS.
Former Fresno County Supervisor Sharon Levy
Sharon Levy, a former Fresno County supervisor, said she and the supervisors grew to rely heavily on Mr. Robinson.
“He was one of the best,” she said. “He was accepted and appreciated by everyone he dealt with, and as a member of the Board of Supervisors, I looked to Max for all the legal expertise I needed. He was always patient and generous.”
He was named county counsel in 1985 when Levy was the board’s chairwoman. At the time, she said, “It definitely was the feeling that Max certainly has the expertise, the ability, the experience and the professionalism” for the job.
Mr. Robinson was born near Paragould, Arkansas, and attended Arkansas State College for two years. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and practiced law in Arkansas for a year before moving to California, where his parents were living. He worked for an oil company until he passed the California bar exam.
Shirley Robinson’s parents also lived in California. They met in 1955 when Mr. Robinson visited on a summer vacation. They were married in 1956. They would have celebrated their 59th anniversary on Aug. 19, which was also Mr. Robinson’s birthday.
After passing the California bar exam in 1961, Mr. Robinson submitted resumes around the state. He was hired by Wash in 1961.
Shirley Robinson said her husband recently mentioned that he “thoroughly enjoyed working with the Board of Supervisors and he had an office full of fantastic lawyers and secretaries and enjoyed every minute he spent with them in their professional and personal lives.”
After his retirement in 1991, her husband was always busy, Shirley Robinson said.
In his retirement, Mr. Robinson helped senior citizens. After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease 15 years ago, he remained active, working on ideas and inventions to help others debilitated by Parkinson’s.
“He was a very happy man,” she said. “Max always had a smile on his face, and he always had a project going.”
Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @beebenjamin
MAX ROBINSON
Occupation: Former Fresno county counsel
Born: Aug. 19, 1932
Died: June 23, 2015
Survivors: Max Robinson is survived by his wife, Shirley; three sons, Chris Robinson and Eric Robinson, of Fresno, and Timothy Robinson, of Duluth, Minnesota; and seven grandchildren.
Services: 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
LOCAL
JUNE 26, 2015 7:04 PM
Former Fresno County counsel passes away
Robinson worked 30 years for Fresno County
Robinson was county counsel for six years
Suffered from Parkinson’s for 15 years
Max Robinson
BY MARC BENJAMIN
[email protected]
Former Fresno County Counsel Max Edward Robinson, a man described as a “splendid lawyer and a gentleman” and “an excellent legal research man,” passed away Tuesday in Fresno. He was 82.
Mr. Robinson was in hospice care for three weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer and bone cancer last month, said his wife, Shirley Robinson.
“There was nothing they could do for him,” she said. “He fought the battle every day, but his spirits were always good.”
A memorial service for Mr. Robinson will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
Mr. Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office for 30 years before retiring in 1991, his final six years serving as the head of that department. He was Fresno County’s third county counsel, following Robert Wash and Floyd Viau.
He was named county counsel in 1985 after serving as the interim leader and remained in the post until the end of 1991.
30: Number of years Max Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office
He joined the office in 1961 as a deputy county counsel and became assistant county counsel in 1973.
In 1985, Wash described Mr. Robinson as “very reserved, not pushy, but fundamentally a very strong lawyer…he was my strong right hand for many years.”
Former Fresno County Counsel Dennis Marshall, who was hired by Mr. Robinson in 1988, called his former boss “a splendid mentor” and “a first-rate legal mind.”
He said Mr. Robinson’s personality was sometimes misinterpreted, because he was tougher than he appeared. Marshall said the Board of Supervisors wanted the county’s lawyers to take a harder line approach in their cases, and Mr. Robinson led the office through that transition.
“Max was soft-spoken, and some people thought it was a lack of resolve, but he was tough-minded and he pursued litigation aggressively,” Marshall said. “Max really turned the office around into more of an aggressive posture in lawyering.”
He also set an example for the staff, coming in early, staying late and bringing positive energy to the office.
“He was as honest and straightforward as you could get,” Marshall said.
HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST. HE WAS ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE HE DEALT WITH, AND AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I LOOKED TO MAX FOR ALL THE LEGAL EXPERTISE I NEEDED. HE WAS ALWAYS PATIENT AND GENEROUS.
Former Fresno County Supervisor Sharon Levy
Sharon Levy, a former Fresno County supervisor, said she and the supervisors grew to rely heavily on Mr. Robinson.
“He was one of the best,” she said. “He was accepted and appreciated by everyone he dealt with, and as a member of the Board of Supervisors, I looked to Max for all the legal expertise I needed. He was always patient and generous.”
He was named county counsel in 1985 when Levy was the board’s chairwoman. At the time, she said, “It definitely was the feeling that Max certainly has the expertise, the ability, the experience and the professionalism” for the job.
Mr. Robinson was born near Paragould, Arkansas, and attended Arkansas State College for two years. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and practiced law in Arkansas for a year before moving to California, where his parents were living. He worked for an oil company until he passed the California bar exam.
Shirley Robinson’s parents also lived in California. They met in 1955 when Mr. Robinson visited on a summer vacation. They were married in 1956. They would have celebrated their 59th anniversary on Aug. 19, which was also Mr. Robinson’s birthday.
After passing the California bar exam in 1961, Mr. Robinson submitted resumes around the state. He was hired by Wash in 1961.
Shirley Robinson said her husband recently mentioned that he “thoroughly enjoyed working with the Board of Supervisors and he had an office full of fantastic lawyers and secretaries and enjoyed every minute he spent with them in their professional and personal lives.”
After his retirement in 1991, her husband was always busy, Shirley Robinson said.
In his retirement, Mr. Robinson helped senior citizens. After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease 15 years ago, he remained active, working on ideas and inventions to help others debilitated by Parkinson’s.
“He was a very happy man,” she said. “Max always had a smile on his face, and he always had a project going.”
Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @beebenjamin
MAX ROBINSON
Occupation: Former Fresno county counsel
Born: Aug. 19, 1932
Died: June 23, 2015
Survivors: Max Robinson is survived by his wife, Shirley; three sons, Chris Robinson and Eric Robinson, of Fresno, and Timothy Robinson, of Duluth, Minnesota; and seven grandchildren.
Services: 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
The Fresno Bee | FresnoBee.com
LOCAL
JUNE 26, 2015 7:04 PM
Former Fresno County counsel passes away
Robinson worked 30 years for Fresno County
Robinson was county counsel for six years
Suffered from Parkinson’s for 15 years
Max Robinson
BY MARC BENJAMIN
[email protected]
Former Fresno County Counsel Max Edward Robinson, a man described as a “splendid lawyer and a gentleman” and “an excellent legal research man,” passed away Tuesday in Fresno. He was 82.
Mr. Robinson was in hospice care for three weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer and bone cancer last month, said his wife, Shirley Robinson.
“There was nothing they could do for him,” she said. “He fought the battle every day, but his spirits were always good.”
A memorial service for Mr. Robinson will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
Mr. Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office for 30 years before retiring in 1991, his final six years serving as the head of that department. He was Fresno County’s third county counsel, following Robert Wash and Floyd Viau.
He was named county counsel in 1985 after serving as the interim leader and remained in the post until the end of 1991.
30: Number of years Max Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office
He joined the office in 1961 as a deputy county counsel and became assistant county counsel in 1973.
In 1985, Wash described Mr. Robinson as “very reserved, not pushy, but fundamentally a very strong lawyer…he was my strong right hand for many years.”
Former Fresno County Counsel Dennis Marshall, who was hired by Mr. Robinson in 1988, called his former boss “a splendid mentor” and “a first-rate legal mind.”
He said Mr. Robinson’s personality was sometimes misinterpreted, because he was tougher than he appeared. Marshall said the Board of Supervisors wanted the county’s lawyers to take a harder line approach in their cases, and Mr. Robinson led the office through that transition.
“Max was soft-spoken, and some people thought it was a lack of resolve, but he was tough-minded and he pursued litigation aggressively,” Marshall said. “Max really turned the office around into more of an aggressive posture in lawyering.”
He also set an example for the staff, coming in early, staying late and bringing positive energy to the office.
“He was as honest and straightforward as you could get,” Marshall said.
HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST. HE WAS ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE HE DEALT WITH, AND AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I LOOKED TO MAX FOR ALL THE LEGAL EXPERTISE I NEEDED. HE WAS ALWAYS PATIENT AND GENEROUS.
Former Fresno County Supervisor Sharon Levy
Sharon Levy, a former Fresno County supervisor, said she and the supervisors grew to rely heavily on Mr. Robinson.
“He was one of the best,” she said. “He was accepted and appreciated by everyone he dealt with, and as a member of the Board of Supervisors, I looked to Max for all the legal expertise I needed. He was always patient and generous.”
He was named county counsel in 1985 when Levy was the board’s chairwoman. At the time, she said, “It definitely was the feeling that Max certainly has the expertise, the ability, the experience and the professionalism” for the job.
Mr. Robinson was born near Paragould, Arkansas, and attended Arkansas State College for two years. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and practiced law in Arkansas for a year before moving to California, where his parents were living. He worked for an oil company until he passed the California bar exam.
Shirley Robinson’s parents also lived in California. They met in 1955 when Mr. Robinson visited on a summer vacation. They were married in 1956. They would have celebrated their 59th anniversary on Aug. 19, which was also Mr. Robinson’s birthday.
After passing the California bar exam in 1961, Mr. Robinson submitted resumes around the state. He was hired by Wash in 1961.
Shirley Robinson said her husband recently mentioned that he “thoroughly enjoyed working with the Board of Supervisors and he had an office full of fantastic lawyers and secretaries and enjoyed every minute he spent with them in their professional and personal lives.”
After his retirement in 1991, her husband was always busy, Shirley Robinson said.
In his retirement, Mr. Robinson helped senior citizens. After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease 15 years ago, he remained active, working on ideas and inventions to help others debilitated by Parkinson’s.
“He was a very happy man,” she said. “Max always had a smile on his face, and he always had a project going.”
Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @beebenjamin
MAX ROBINSON
Occupation: Former Fresno county counsel
Born: Aug. 19, 1932
Died: June 23, 2015
Survivors: Max Robinson is survived by his wife, Shirley; three sons, Chris Robinson and Eric Robinson, of Fresno, and Timothy Robinson, of Duluth, Minnesota; and seven grandchildren.
Services: 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
LOCAL
JUNE 26, 2015 7:04 PM
Former Fresno County counsel passes away
Robinson worked 30 years for Fresno County
Robinson was county counsel for six years
Suffered from Parkinson’s for 15 years
Max Robinson
BY MARC BENJAMIN
[email protected]
Former Fresno County Counsel Max Edward Robinson, a man described as a “splendid lawyer and a gentleman” and “an excellent legal research man,” passed away Tuesday in Fresno. He was 82.
Mr. Robinson was in hospice care for three weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer and bone cancer last month, said his wife, Shirley Robinson.
“There was nothing they could do for him,” she said. “He fought the battle every day, but his spirits were always good.”
A memorial service for Mr. Robinson will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
Mr. Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office for 30 years before retiring in 1991, his final six years serving as the head of that department. He was Fresno County’s third county counsel, following Robert Wash and Floyd Viau.
He was named county counsel in 1985 after serving as the interim leader and remained in the post until the end of 1991.
30: Number of years Max Robinson worked in the Fresno County Counsel’s office
He joined the office in 1961 as a deputy county counsel and became assistant county counsel in 1973.
In 1985, Wash described Mr. Robinson as “very reserved, not pushy, but fundamentally a very strong lawyer…he was my strong right hand for many years.”
Former Fresno County Counsel Dennis Marshall, who was hired by Mr. Robinson in 1988, called his former boss “a splendid mentor” and “a first-rate legal mind.”
He said Mr. Robinson’s personality was sometimes misinterpreted, because he was tougher than he appeared. Marshall said the Board of Supervisors wanted the county’s lawyers to take a harder line approach in their cases, and Mr. Robinson led the office through that transition.
“Max was soft-spoken, and some people thought it was a lack of resolve, but he was tough-minded and he pursued litigation aggressively,” Marshall said. “Max really turned the office around into more of an aggressive posture in lawyering.”
He also set an example for the staff, coming in early, staying late and bringing positive energy to the office.
“He was as honest and straightforward as you could get,” Marshall said.
HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST. HE WAS ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED BY EVERYONE HE DEALT WITH, AND AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I LOOKED TO MAX FOR ALL THE LEGAL EXPERTISE I NEEDED. HE WAS ALWAYS PATIENT AND GENEROUS.
Former Fresno County Supervisor Sharon Levy
Sharon Levy, a former Fresno County supervisor, said she and the supervisors grew to rely heavily on Mr. Robinson.
“He was one of the best,” she said. “He was accepted and appreciated by everyone he dealt with, and as a member of the Board of Supervisors, I looked to Max for all the legal expertise I needed. He was always patient and generous.”
He was named county counsel in 1985 when Levy was the board’s chairwoman. At the time, she said, “It definitely was the feeling that Max certainly has the expertise, the ability, the experience and the professionalism” for the job.
Mr. Robinson was born near Paragould, Arkansas, and attended Arkansas State College for two years. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and practiced law in Arkansas for a year before moving to California, where his parents were living. He worked for an oil company until he passed the California bar exam.
Shirley Robinson’s parents also lived in California. They met in 1955 when Mr. Robinson visited on a summer vacation. They were married in 1956. They would have celebrated their 59th anniversary on Aug. 19, which was also Mr. Robinson’s birthday.
After passing the California bar exam in 1961, Mr. Robinson submitted resumes around the state. He was hired by Wash in 1961.
Shirley Robinson said her husband recently mentioned that he “thoroughly enjoyed working with the Board of Supervisors and he had an office full of fantastic lawyers and secretaries and enjoyed every minute he spent with them in their professional and personal lives.”
After his retirement in 1991, her husband was always busy, Shirley Robinson said.
In his retirement, Mr. Robinson helped senior citizens. After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease 15 years ago, he remained active, working on ideas and inventions to help others debilitated by Parkinson’s.
“He was a very happy man,” she said. “Max always had a smile on his face, and he always had a project going.”
Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @beebenjamin
MAX ROBINSON
Occupation: Former Fresno county counsel
Born: Aug. 19, 1932
Died: June 23, 2015
Survivors: Max Robinson is survived by his wife, Shirley; three sons, Chris Robinson and Eric Robinson, of Fresno, and Timothy Robinson, of Duluth, Minnesota; and seven grandchildren.
Services: 2 p.m. Monday at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno St.
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