Obituary of Wayne L. Robinson

Wayne L. Robinson, 63, of Coralville died Saturday, March 19, 2011, in a Denver, Colorado hospital after being stricken earlier in the week while vacationing with his family. Funeral services will be 3 p.m., Sunday, March 27, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City with visitation from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Wayne’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, American Heart Association or Wayne Robinson Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Wayne was born March 2, 1948, the son of Donald Gilbert and Lois Irene (Chaplin) Robinson in Iowa Falls, IA. After suffering the loss of his father early in his life his mother married Robert Halstead Hovey who adopted Wayne and his siblings and became a true second father to them. The entire blended family then moved to the Hovey farm near Sheffield, IA where Wayne graduated from High School in 1966. He then attended and later graduated in 1970 from the University of Iowa with a degree in Computer Science. Wayne was drafted during the Vietnam War and served 2 years in the Army. During his years in college Wayne was a member of the University of Iowa Sailing Club where he met his wife Ann Turner. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1974, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa, IA. Wayne and Ann lived in the Iowa City area their entire lives together raising their two children Michael and Julie. Wayne began a career in computer programming working for the University of Iowa Computer Center, but early on was hired by Westinghouse which later became National Computer Systems and is now owned by Pearson Educational Measurement. Wayne held several computer programming and management positions throughout the years and at the time of his death, worked as a mainframe developer and capacity planner. Wayne had a deep and abiding faith in God, being very active in his church, First Presbyterian Church, he had served as a Deacon and Elder and was highly respected for his leadership. He was known for his passion of computers, reading, playing games and cards with family and friends. He and Ann lead a very active life, enjoying sailing, hiking, skiing, biking, golfing and their world around them. They also enjoyed ballroom dancing and travelled extensively. During the past 10-15 years music was also a big part of his life, he sang in the church choir and played percussion in two area bands. Wayne was reserved in his nature, but when he had something to say it was always worthwhile. But most dear to him was his family who will always cherish him as a loving husband and father. His family includes his wife, (Priscilla) Ann Robinson; son, Michael Turner Robinson and his wife Stephanie (Garrels) Robinson of Iowa City; daughter, Juliette Ann Robinson of Boulder, CO; siblings: Allen (Marjorie) Hovey, Donna Andreessen, Eileen (Herman) Merten, Margaret (Robert) Koppen; and several nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Robinson and Lois and Robert Hovey, and his brother in law, LaVerne Andreessen.