Gene Robinson

Gene Dennis Robinson, 91, of Red Wing, died Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the Red Wing Health Center. He was born in Hillsboro, North Dakota, on May 12, 1923, to George and Clara Robinson. After graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1941, he went to California where he worked for the Lockheed Aircraft Company building fighter planes. When Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, he tried to enlist in the Army Air Corps, but President Roosevelt had frozen aircraft workers in their jobs. After some time the ban was lifted and he then enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After receiving his training he served as an aerial gunman on a B-24 bomber flying out of bases in North Africa and Italy. He was wounded twice and was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Silver Star and the Air Medal. He married Elaine Pederson in Hillsboro in 1946, and they lived in Fargo, North Dakota, where he enrolled as a student at North Dakota State University on the G.I. Bill of Rights. There he earned a Bachelor's Degree in both English and History. He then went on to Boston University, where he earned his Master's Degree in English Literature. He taught in Morris, Minnesota, for five years before moving with his family to Red Wing in 1955, where he taught English Literature, Philosophy and Humanities. He was enthusiastic in his teaching, encouraging his students to appreciate the stimulating thoughts and ideas found in literature. He retired from teaching in 1986. He served on the Board of the Red Wing Public Library as building chairman during the construction of the building in 1969 and later served as chairman of the Board. He served on the Boards of the YMCA and of the Red Wing Arts Association. He was a member of United Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council and on the Board of Deacons. He also served as an usher at Sunday services. In later years he was an enthusiastic member of TAG, sharing in program presentations his joy in the trips he and Elaine made to Italy. Using his creative talents in woodworking he also worked on several projects for the church. He loved traveling, and he and Elaine made many trips to Europe as well as cross country drives across the United States. He was a life member of the National Education Association and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of the Golden Kiwanis and of the American Legion. He worked with the AARP Volunteer Income Tax Program and was a volunteer for the Home Delivered Meals. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking and was a meticulous craftsman in the building much of the furniture in their home. He enjoyed travel, music, reading good books and working crossword puzzles.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, a daughter, Diane Laumer of San Marcos, Texas, a son Steve (Vickie) of Bellingham, Washington; four grandchildren, Kurt Laumer and Anne (Charles) Law, Chelsea Farmer and Simon Farmer; two great grandchildren, Atarah Law and McKael Law and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, George and his wife, Marjory; grandson, Joel Farmer; nephew George Robinson and niece Lynn Robinson.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015, at United Lutheran Church with Reverend Justin Boeding officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Red Wing Public Library, Alzheimer's Association or Mayo Red Wing Hospice. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of the Red Wing Health Center memory unit; Mayo Red Wing Hospice and United Lutheran Church for their support. Online condolences may be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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Visitation

MAR 20. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN 55066

Visitation

MAR 21. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)

United Lutheran Church
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066

Service

MAR 21. 11:00 AM (CDT)

United Lutheran Church
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066