Orem E. Robinson Jr.

SALISBURY - Orem E. Robinson Jr., 83, died Friday, April 20, 2007 at his home with his family by his side.

Born in Baltimore, on March 19, 1924, he was the son of the late Orem E. Robinson Sr. and Marie B. Robinson.

During his early years he and his family spent much of their time with his grandparents in Toddville where he learned his love of the water and all things associated with the Chesapeake Bay. In 1937 the family moved to Vienna, where he attended and graduated from Vienna High School in 1941.

During World War II he served with 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 101st Airborne. He was among the first to parachute into France before the D-Day Invasion. He also served in combat in Holland, in Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, and he parachuted into Germany during the Rush to the Rhine.

After his discharge he signed a professional baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization and pitched in the Dodger organization until 1947. He married Harriet Tillman of Vienna in 1947 and they moved to Chestertown where Mr. Robinson attended Washington College. He was recalled to service in 1950 during the Korean conflict and was discharged in 1951. He then returned to Washington College where he graduated in 1952.

Mr. Robinson then pursued his career in education by returning to Vienna as principal of Vienna High School, then progressing to vice principal of North Dorchester High School, and then as principal of the Federalsburg School. In 1960 he accepted the position of Dean of Student Affairs of Salisbury State College in Salisbury and served the school until his retirement in 1980.

During his retirement he enjoyed his hobbies of sailing, wildfowl carving and painting. Mr. Robinson was a 32nd Degree Mason and was active in the Rotary Organization throughout his career.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Harriet T. Robinson; three children, Daphne R. Dukes and her husband, Burton of Rehoboth Beach, Del., David T. Robinson and his wife, Janis of Berlin and Laura R. Jenkins and her husband, Charles R. Jenkins Jr. of Berlin; his grandchildren: Daniel and Megan McCann, Christine McCann and Chris T. Pappas, Brian and Corin Robinson and Angela Cupas; great-grandchildren, Ian McCann, Colleen McCann and Zoe Pappas.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Vienna. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow the service at St. Paul's Cemetery in Vienna.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory can be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, PO Box 3, Vienna, MD 21869 or to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury.