Robinson, Charles Mebane

Charles Mebane Robinson

Sept. 13, 1923 - June 27, 2010

Born to Hallie Mebane and Charles McLendon Robinson in Gastonia, N.C., at age 17, Charles attended Davidson College. In 1942, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated as a class of 1946 Midshipman. Following Navy-sponsored financial management training at Harvard Business School, Charles served as financial officer on several U.S. naval ships, principally in Panama and the Pacific. An interest in science and service subsequently led Charles to the Bowman Gray Medical School at Wake Forest University, where he earned an M.D. degree, and thereafter, to an internship at Yale Medical School. It was during this internship that Charles met, courted and, on March 28, 1953, married Connecticut nursing student, Juliette LaMar, in New Haven, Conn. Following the completion of Charles' internship, the newlyweds moved to suburban Columbus, Ohio, where Charles established a private general medical practice, and the couple started their family. The Robinson family relocated to suburban Chicago, Ill., when Charles accepted a position as a regional medical director for the Travelers Insurance Co. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette, Ill., the Wilmette Sailing Club and as a part-time professor of clinical medicine at Northwestern University's Medical School. A 1976 promotion saw Charles and family relocate to northern Litchfield County, Conn., from which he commuted to Hartford until his retirement in 1988. Charles and Juliette later moved to Landrum, S.C., where he found satisfying retirement living and great joy in his family. In 2004, Charles and Juliette last relocated to Iowa City, Iowa to be closer to family. Charles reveled in visits with friends and family, engaging conversation, and always in the acquisition of new knowledge.

Charles is survived by his wife, Juliette; daughter, Cameron R. Vanni (Jerry L.); sons, Charles L. Robinson (Sarah T.) and Alexander L. Robinson; grandchildren, Charles T. Robinson, Elizabeth C. Robinson, Blaine Robinson, Lexi Schumacher and Jack Schumacher; and many wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers, Charles asked that support be directed to the American Heart Association.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at

Iowa Cremation is assisting the family.