Born on April 14, 1948 in Plainfield, NJ, he was the son of
Harold and Margaret Macnab Rhodes. On
June 5, 1971, he was married to Mary Johnson in Plainfield.
Robin was a member of the Plainfield High School class of
1966. He graduated from Newark College
of Engineering in 1972, and later could not bring himself to recognize the
school’s name change to New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Robin was employed in 1971 by Isothermics Inc. in New
Jersey. He moved his family to
Wellsville, NY in 1977, taking a position as an engineer at CE Air
Preheater. He earned his MBA at St.
Bonaventure University in 1983. Robin later became Vice President of Sales and
Service at Air Preheater where he worked until his retirement in 2012. Robin was awarded many patents for his work
at both companies.
He was member of the Wellsville Country Club and the
Wellsville Elks Club. He was a Past President of the Wellsville Lions Club,
participating in many Lions functions and particularly enjoying the spring
fishing derby. He was instrumental in
the formation of the Lions Diabetes Clinic at Jones Memorial Hospital.
Robin enjoyed fishing, pool, and golf. He made an award-winning bowl of chili with
at least 60 ingredients. After his retirement, he began making wine at home and
found great joy in sharing it with old and new friends.
His daughters share fond memories of their Dad “helping”
them with math homework, which usually turned into a lesson that went far
beyond the assignment. They enjoy, and
still use, their Dad’s classic acronyms that few people knew how to
translate. Robin raised two critical
thinkers who he inspired to think outside of the box by his dislike of the
excuse “but, we’ve always done it this way”.
Robin was predeceased by his parents and infant sister Peggy
Lou. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two daughters, Meredith Rhodes of
Madison, WI and Jessica (Brad) O'Connor of Tega Cay, SC. He is also survived by a sister Carol Ann
(Dennis) Wenrick of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and two brothers Burgess (Audrey)
Rhodes of Powhaton, VA and Ronald (Kathie) Rhodes of South Plainfield NJ,
grandchildren Claudia and Clayton Carson of Madison, WI and Nora O'Connor of
Tega Cay, SC.
The family is planning a celebration of Robin’s life at the
Wellsville Elks Club on October 18th.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellsville NY.
Donations may be made to Hospice & Community Care, PO
Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731
https://hospicecommunitycare.org/give-back/memorial-gifts/
