John A. Robinson

John A. Robinson, age 75, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes, March 11, 2011.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 3:00 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, Miamisburg OH 45342. A picture and details may be viewed at www.NewcomerDayton.com. We hope everyone will visit the website and sign the online guest book.
John will be sorely missed by his family and a great number of friends across the country who knew him, worked with him and loved him. He touched the lives of many people through his talents in the theatre and music and many of his writings. John loved his wife, son, grandchildren, dogs and making people laugh by doing or saying the silliest, most outrageous things possible. He will never be forgotten!
John was born December 14, 1935 in Ada, Michigan to Dean Robinson and Audrey Harris Robinson, both deceased. He spent his childhood and high school years in Dearborn, Michigan. He graduated with a BA in theatre from The University of Miami.
John worked in industry for several years after graduating from college, serving as a labor relations manager and recruiter for International Harvester (later NAVISTAR) in Springfield and later for Control Data in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN.
After his time in the corporate world, he returned to The University of Wisconsin – Madison and received his MFA degree in Directing (Theatre). He held Managing Director/Artistic Director positions at Fresno Community Theatre, Fresno, CA; Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Kalamazoo, MI; Abilene Community Theatre, Abilene, TX; Des Moines Community Theatre, Des Moines, IA; and Ponca City Community Theatre, Ponca City, OK.
John was also an accomplished singer, actor, writer, artist and designer throughout his life. He directed several church choirs, the latest of these being St. James United Methodist Church in Miamisburg OH. John served as Managing Director for the Dayton chapter of Habitat for Humanity for 4 years.
Vacations were enjoyed camping, fishing and just hanging out with his dogs, mostly German Shepherds, with a Golden Retriever, Weimaraner and Yellow Lab thrown into the mix.
John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Penny Robinson, Son John David Robinson, Daughter-in-law, Anne Robinson, Grandchildren Michael, Jennifer and Elizabeth Robinson all of Cary IL. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Ann Holser of Eugene OR and Barbara Reeck of Westland, MI and well as his niece, Jane Zeuner of Inkster, MI, cousins, Nancy Hamilton and Robert Harris Jr, both of Grand Rapids, MI.