GRAFTON: Dr. Roger W. Robinson, 101 of Grafton passed away on Thursday November 11, 2010 at home.
His wife of 66 years Imogene Robinson, passed away in 2004. Dr. Robinson leaves his son Roger Lee Robinson and his fiancée Jane Hjertberg of Grafton, five grandchildren Anna J. Keiter, William L. Robinson, Roger W. Robinson, Ralph D. Robinson, William F. Bourbeau and two great grandchildren Payton J. Keiter and Logan W. Robinson. He was predeceased by his brother Paul Robinson. Dr. Robinson was born July 22, 1909 in Buffalo, NY son of William W. and Anna (Hoover) Robinson.
Dr. Robinson was a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School in 1935 and completed his post graduate training in medicine at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. He practiced as a cardiologist, and in cardiac research at Memorial Hospital in Worcester for over 50 years. He came to Memorial in 1939 as Chief of Cardiology and became Chief of Medicine and Director of the Lipid Research Laboratory at Memorial that he created through his own fund raising efforts. He was a former chairman of the Department of Medicine at Worcester Memorial. Dr. Robinson also served as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School that he helped bring to Worcester. The Roger W. Robinson Fund at Memorial Hospital for annual Lectures on Cardiovascular Disease continues today, in gratitude for his many contributions to the training of generations of medical students and house officers. He served as an Army Physician during WWII.
Dr. Robinson, along with his wife Imogene, co-founded The Willard House and Clock Museum in Grafton, serving as President and Chairman of the Trustees. The museum was created through Dr. Robinson's generosity and his successful fund raising efforts, as well as his wife's vision and her over 20 years of love and dedication to the museum's daily operation. Many will remember finding Dr. Robinson on his day off from medicine happily greeting guests and giving tours at the Willard Museum.
Dr. Robinson was a charter member of the Grafton Historical Society and a member of the First Congregational Church in Grafton.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to his loving caregivers of the passed many years Kathy, Rosalie, Valerie, Mary and Mary. Also his friend and colleague Dr. Guenter Spanknebel. Their kindness and dedication made his wish to live out his life at home possible.
There are no calling hours. His funeral service will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements are under the care of The Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester Street, North Grafton, MA 01536. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Willard Clock Museum, 11 Willard Street, North Grafton, MA 01536.