Dr. Verner Robinson, Jr. Detroit, Michigan Obituary

Dr. Verner Robinson, Jr.

Verner Lee Robinson, Jr. was born August 9, 1930 to Carrie Horton Robinson and Verner Robinson Sr., the last child and the only son born of this union. Verner matriculated through the Detroit Public School System, ultimately graduating from Northeastern High School at the young age of 16. As a child, Verner attended and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church. During his adult years he briefly served as an Elder at Calvary Presbyterian Church and assisted with facilitating church business. In February 1948, Verner enlisted in the Army and there began a budding interest in global affairs and financial exchange systems. He was wounded in battle during the Korean War thus, Verner returned to the US in 1951 committed to achieving better. Verner’s passion for math blossomed working alongside his father in business; his mother and sister were instrumental in cultivating his educational career. Subsequently, Verner pursued the highest academic achievements from his attaining a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University, Master’s degree from University of Detroit Mercy, and PhD from the University of Michigan. During his educational pursuits Verner became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1961 and initiated a career with the US Postal Service. At the encouragement of his sister, Verner pursued a career transition in education with Detroit Public Schools where he would ultimately retire. His diverse educational experiences reacquainted him with his life partner and satin doll, Allie Opal Esselman, who shared his interests in global affairs, and community and academic excellence. Verner and Allie were united in marriage October 23, 1968; he brought two children from a prior marriage to this union, Valda Lynn and Anita Gay. Verner would often reflect on his partnership with Allie as “the best thing that ever happened to him.” She helped mold Verner’s outlook on family, shaping his views on parenting, resulting in character-building community service and life-long spiritual foundation. As life partners, Verner and Allie committed to inspiring each other daily to be their best and do their best, hosting friends, family and loved ones across the globe over meals and spirited fellowship. Their shared interest in the Lion’s International Youth Exchange Program led them to welcome Gerald Joseph from Belize. In 1978 Gerald came to live with the Robinson family for the summer, uniting the Josephs and Robinsons for a lifetime. This relationship blossomed through shared travels to Dangriga, Belize to meet Gerald’s natural parents, Juanita and Simeon Joseph. In turn, the Josephs visited the Robinsons in Detroit, extending the bond through the entire Joseph/Robinson family. Through the years, as their family expanded, Verner and Allie introduced a new generation to the vast diversity and great opportunity the world had to offer through academic excellence and wealth of knowledge in poetry, literature, and global affairs. Verner retired from Detroit Public Schools in 1985 and continued to travel with his life-partner and further deepening their spiritual foundation and global-community outlook. As Verner’s health declined he extended his family further receiving Samuel Ray Smith as his spiritual brother. Their daily prayer time not only brought a sense of peace in the household, but also ushered in great laughter and joy in the midst of suffering and pain. Verner is preceded in death by his parents, Carrie and Verner Robinson, Sr; his wife Allie Opal Robinson, sisters LaVerne Robinson, Mildred Burrell, and Grace Merritt. He leaves to cherish his memory daughters Valda Lynn (James), Anita Gay (Paul), along with countless grandchildren, great-grand-children, nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends.
August 9, 1930 - August 25, 201608/09/193008/25/2016
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

Verner Lee Robinson, Jr. was born August 9, 1930 to Carrie Horton Robinson and Verner Robinson Sr., the last child and the only son born of this union. Verner matriculated through the Detroit Public School System, ultimately graduating from Northeastern High School at the young age of 16. As a child, Verner attended and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church. During his adult years he briefly served as an Elder at Calvary Presbyterian Church and assisted with facilitating church business. In February 1948, Verner enlisted in the Army and there began a budding interest in global affairs and financial exchange systems. He was wounded in battle during the Korean War thus, Verner returned to the US in 1951 committed to achieving better. Verner’s passion for math blossomed working alongside his father in business; his mother and sister were instrumental in cultivating his educational career. Subsequently, Verner pursued the highest academic achievements from his attaining a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University, Master’s degree from University of Detroit Mercy, and PhD from the University of Michigan. During his educational pursuits Verner became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1961 and initiated a career with the US Postal Service. At the encouragement of his sister, Verner pursued a career transition in education with Detroit Public Schools where he would ultimately retire. His diverse educational experiences reacquainted him with his life partner and satin doll, Allie Opal Esselman, who shared his interests in global affairs, and community and academic excellence. Verner and Allie were united in marriage October 23, 1968; he brought two children from a prior marriage to this union, Valda Lynn and Anita Gay. Verner would often reflect on his partnership with Allie as “the best thing that ever happened to him.” She helped mold Verner’s outlook on family, shaping his views on parenting, resulting in character-building community service and life-long spiritual foundation. As life partners, Verner and Allie committed to inspiring each other daily to be their best and do their best, hosting friends, family and loved ones across the globe over meals and spirited fellowship. Their shared interest in the Lion’s International Youth Exchange Program led them to welcome Gerald Joseph from Belize. In 1978 Gerald came to live with the Robinson family for the summer, uniting the Josephs and Robinsons for a lifetime. This relationship blossomed through shared travels to Dangriga, Belize to meet Gerald’s natural parents, Juanita and Simeon Joseph. In turn, the Josephs visited the Robinsons in Detroit, extending the bond through the entire Joseph/Robinson family. Through the years, as their family expanded, Verner and Allie introduced a new generation to the vast diversity and great opportunity the world had to offer through academic excellence and wealth of knowledge in poetry, literature, and global affairs. Verner retired from Detroit Public Schools in 1985 and continued to travel with his life-partner and further deepening their spiritual foundation and global-community outlook. As Verner’s health declined he extended his family further receiving Samuel Ray Smith as his spiritual brother. Their daily prayer time not only brought a sense of peace in the household, but also ushered in great laughter and joy in the midst of suffering and pain. Verner is preceded in death by his parents, Carrie and Verner Robinson, Sr; his wife Allie Opal Robinson, sisters LaVerne Robinson, Mildred Burrell, and Grace Merritt. He leaves to cherish his memory daughters Valda Lynn (James), Anita Gay (Paul), along with countless grandchildren, great-grand-children, nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends.

To plant a tree in memory of Dr. Verner Robinson, Jr., please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Sep
24
Service
Saturday, September 24 2016
01:00 PM
James H. Cole Home for Funerals - Northwest Chapel
16100 Schaefer Hwy.
Detroit, MI 48235
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail