Van Thomas Robinson, 74
DOVER, DE - Van Thomas Robinson passed away Friday, May 12th, 2023, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital.
He was born May 23rd, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late John E. and Linnie M. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson was raised in Elkville, Illinois, earning his Bachelor's in Piano Performance and Master's in Music Education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Then later an Associates degree in Accounting from Rend Lake College. He married Nancy Nussbaum in 1969, settled down in Mt. Vernon, IL where he taught music for several years and eventually became a proud father to three children. While in Mt. Vernon, he was employed by Good Samaritan Hospital's Data Processing department earning Employee of the Year in 1986 all while establishing himself as one of the area's most respected piano tuners and locksmiths, earning the nickname "Van, The Key Man". In 1988, he and his family moved to Cape Girardeau, MO, was employed with Proctor & Gamble and continued his locksmithing and piano tuning profession. He divorced his wife in 2004 and transferred to Dover, Delaware in 2009. He met his current wife during his transition from one plant to the other in June of 2008. He still maintained a successful locksmith and piano tuning business for years and enjoyed playing piano for First Southern Baptist Church. He eventually retired from Proctor & Gamble in 2013. He was an active member of the New Harvest Baptist Church in Dover, and the Elkville Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his half-brother, Michael McDonald; and half-sister, Judy McDonald.
Mr. Robinson is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Vanessa Robinson of Dover, Delaware; his children, Jon T. Robinson (Cary), Holly R. Robinson (Mark Stolzer), and Phillip S. Robinson (Jesse Howitt); his stepchildren, Jonathan A. Young, Jr., Colby A. Young, and Zachary A. Young; his half-sister, Brenda Robinson; and his grandchildren, Ian Robinson, Isaac Robinson, and Emery Stolzer.
Memorial services will be held in Dover, Delaware, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to New Harvest Baptist Church, 866 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, Delaware, 19901.
To send letters of condolence, and sign guestbook, please visit www.torbertfuneral.com