Jack Douglas Robinson

Jack Douglas Robinson, 99, died peacefully at home on January 19, 2021. Jack was born October 27, 1921, to Fred and Inez Robinson and was raised in Detroit,MI . His parents instilled in their son, love, respect, manners, fortitude, empathy and humility. Jack married Linnea Ida Peterson, of Swedish descent, just a week before he was drafted into the army during World War II. Jack served as Master Sergeant with Eisenhower’s European Theater and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. His claim to fame was that while in the service, he was “above Eisenhower”; because his office was one floor above Ike’s at headquarters. It was during his war experience that his love of Europe flourished, and he and Linnea were destined to return annually either to her home country of Sweden, or the splendor of Switzerland, where family and friends were in abundance,. His last trip overseas to Switzerland in 2000, included many of us, a true “Swiss Family Robinson”! While in the service Jack’s first son, Jim, was born. Such was the enduring respect of this son for his father, that Jim made his dad best man at his wedding some years later. Jack and Linnea had 4 children, each 4 years apart. Jim (Sherry) Robinson, Jan Rosacrans, John Robinson, and Jacklyn (Todd) Kujala. In turn, their children amassed 12 grandchildren, which led to 19 great-grandchildren. Jack proudly spent his career at Graybar Electric, where he worked his way from the warehouse to Sales Manager, putting in 56 years of service. Jack moved his family to Lathrup Village in 1957, where he was a devout Lutheran and family man - always leading grace at supper time, and always letting everyone know that they were loved. Jack was always behind the camera, and we are fortunate to have countless hours of video footage to enjoy. He also enjoyed traveling stateside when his kids were kids, specifically to Jekyll Island, GA., and we’ve kept up that family tradition. With a good sense of humor, Jack was always quick with a joke. He was the glue that kept his family together, and it’s impossible to put into words what Jack meant to those whose lives he touched. Many would say, without reservation, “He’s the best man I’ve ever known”. He will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by Fred and Inez Robinson (parents), Linnea Robinson (wife), Justin Michael Kujala (grandson), and Brett Cameron Robinson (grandson). He was in Heaven quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.

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