Gerald (Jerry) Robbins, aged 90, passed away on Monday, July 17th, 2023.
Jerry was born on March 8, 1933 in Milwaukee, WI to Dell and Leonarda (Novak) Robbins. After a few years, the family moved to Flint, Michigan where Jerry developed his love for the outdoors and sports by spending much of his free time with his siblings outside and playing ‘down by the creek’ near their home. He attended Kearsley High School in Flint, MI where he played football, basketball and baseball, and graduated in 1951.
In 1953, Jerry married the love and inspiration of his life, Anne Vary, and had 4 children: Gerald (Mark), Mike, Mary and Paula. Anne changed the trajectory of his life and they spent 66 years together until Anne passed on in April of 2019.
Jerry attended UW-LaCrosse where he graduated in 1958 with honors and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and History. Jerry played basketball at LaCrosse and held records well into recent years.
It was during this time that he also received All-American Player status in 1957, from the National Basketball Congress of America. Jerry also excelled academically, and was elected president of Kappa Delta Pi -Beta Tau Chapter and belonged to Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity, and as a junior was awarded a World War II Memorial scholarship.
Soon after Jerry and Anne arrived in LaCrosse, Jerry was drafted into the Korean war. He served for 2 years in the U.S. Army where he played football, basketball and baseball at Fort Benning, Georgia and was honorably discharged in 1955. Jerry then attended UW-Madison where he received his Masters of Science in Education and History in 1959.
He went on to teach history at Manitowoc Lincoln High School where he taught for 33 years. Within this timeframe he had many accomplishments. Early on in his career he was elected by his peers as Chief Negotiator for the Manitowoc Teachers Union where he essentially argued equal pay for equal work and used his skills and insight to work at fairly representing his colleagues and assist in improving the Manitowoc School System. He was also a coach and assistant coach in many sports including: basketball, football, swimming and diving. Jerry also contributed to Lincoln’s sports by being involved in scouting for basketball and football, timing at wrestling and track meets and was the chief statistician for the Ships football team for several years. One of Jerry’s greatest honors was to be appointed a member of the Wall of Fame Committee and contributed his many years of knowledge of Lincoln’s athletes and sports history.
After retiring, Jerry continued his passion of being an outdoorsman. Jerry’s son Mark had introduced him to his favorite place, Quetico Provincial Park wilderness area in Canada. This beautiful landscape then became Jerry’s favorite place for fishing, camping and canoeing. And, just as his son Mark had introduced him to Quetico, he passed this on by doing the same with other family members, friends and colleagues.
Jerry was a great storyteller and loved to cook and bake. He made the best cheesecake, apple pie, homemade bread and pancakes and especially enjoyed making holiday dinners. He also was an avid Badger fan and spent many days and evenings, during both basketball and football season, cheering for his team!
He is survived by his three children, Mike (Kim) Robbins, Mary Robbins and Paula Robbins. His sister Nancy Rice, Brother-In-Law James (Pat) Vary, and many nieces, nephews, and good friends. In addition to his wife Anne, and his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Gerald Mark Robbins, July 3, 2004, his brother Jack Robbins, brother & sister-in-law, Dell Jr. & Sally Robbins, his sister Mary Ann Haigler, brother-in-law & sister-in-law Harry & Janette Kutten, sister-in-law Betty Vary, and other close friends throughout the last several years.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the family for a memorial/scholarship in connection to Lincoln High School.
A Life Celebration Social will take place from 1:00pm-3:00pm on Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc, WI.
Jerry’s family would like to thank the staff at Manitowoc Rehab Center and Healthcare and also Homecare Health Services and Hospice for the compassionate care given to Jerry during his stay.