William Stewart Robinson (Bill) was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario on May 16, 1924, and died in Bellevue, WA on December 29, 2019 at the age of 95. Bill lived a remarkable life of adventure: working for Boeing at age 15, serving in the Canadian Merchant Navy during WWII, surveying throughout British Columbia, attending the University of British Columbia, moving to California to start a new life with Joyce, his bride-to-be, working for an engineering firm in San Francisco that he later owned, developing several award-winning surveying patents, retiring to a life shared between California and Semiahmoo in WA, and completing his life after nine happy, productive years at his home in Silver Glen.
Bill was known for his sense of humor, adventurous spirit, intellect and unfailingly positive attitude. He lived each day with a sense of joy and appreciation. He was a remarkable father, fostering confidence, principle and adventure. He was a devoted husband, thoroughly in love with his wife, Joyce, for all of their 57 years together. And after Joyce’s passing in 2011, Bill found a special happiness with Naomi for his last eight years.
Bill was blessed with wonderful friends, both in Moraga, CA, where he and Joyce raised their children, and at Silver Glen in Bellevue. He saw his children weekly, and enjoyed many visits from his CA neighbors, and extended family in Canada, including our recent Canadian Thanksgiving in October with his brother, George, and many nieces/nephews. Bill was loved by his three children and four grandchildren, of whom he was extremely proud.
Bill was a Renaissance Man – engineer, scientist, writer, sports lover, camper, hiker, explorer, reader, boater, game player, skier, space enthusiast. He never met a game he didn’t enjoy or an adventure he wouldn’t take. Bill will be sorely missed by his three children: Steve, a UC Davis professor; Kerry, a Seattle lawyer (Steven); and Lynne, a Bellevue City Councilmember (Dan); his four grandchildren: William, Ian, Amanda and Nolan; his Canadian family, his many dear friends, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. With love and thanks to you, Dad.
