Obituary of Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson of Belle Isle, Florida, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on March 30, 2024, at 102.

His goal was a “big party” for his 100th birthday. Once he completed this milestone, he started to fade away. This changed once his wife of nearly 60 years, Shirley K. Robinson, became incapacitated. He soldiered on, keeping her company for the rest of her life. He passed nine months after his loving wife.

Mark grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Princeton, only to leave to join the US Navy during WWII. He served honorably in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, his missions spanned from Dakar, North Africa, to Tokyo, Japan. After the war, Mark worked for his uncle’s business, Robinson Lumber Company, in Caracas, Venezuela. His uncle paid his tuition to Princeton, for which Mark is eternally grateful.

Poor health forced him to leave Venezuela and after he recovered he went to Columbia University in applied mathematics. He spent his career at Lockheed Martin in Orlando, becoming one of the early experts on digital computers.

In his later years, he drove for Meals on Wheels, until he was 90. He was older than all the clients he helped serve! He also served at the charity thrift store until he was 100. World War II veterans were and are special men.

Mark was survived by his children, Mark H Robinson and Elizabeth Robinson Gieseking, their spouses, Teri Robinson and Steve Gieseking; four grandchildren — Rebecca Morris Gieseking, Christina Ehlmann, Robin Gieseking, and Nathaniel Gieseking; and two grandsons-in-law — Ben Morris and Daniel Ehlmann. 

Mark’s funeral will be held on Thursday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m. at the Belle Isle Community Church. The final resting place will be Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City, Florida.