Norman E. Robbins
On November 11, 2016, the world lost one of the few men left on earth who embodied the word “gentleman.” Norman E. Robbins passed peacefully away at the Mukilteo, Washington, home of his daughter and her family after a mercifully-short battle with lung cancer.
Norm was born in Tacoma, Washington, in July 1927, to Norman E. Robbins, Sr. and Marion (Hamer) Robbins. He spent his early childhood in Tacoma, and his formative years in Kennewick, Washington. He spent many happy Summers at Sunrise Beach near Point Defiance, Washington. He was a graduate of Eastern Washington University and served in the Army in World War II at Fort Lewis, Washington.
Perhaps his fondest memories were the years he spent as a Cattle Rancher on the Crowley Ranch in Northeastern Oregon. Although it was a hard life in many ways, he fell in love with the people, the animals, the hard work and, mostly, his horse, Keno. He wrote a book about some of his experiences there, which some of you may have had the good fortune to read even though it was never published.
Norm had other career “adventures.” He was also a disc jockey in San Francisco (and other small markets before it), which also brought him great joy. His humor and music choice made him a listener favorite. His charm and talent also led him into several sales professions (not used cars!). He eventually found himself working for the Postal Service in San Francisco. He was able to work his way into management, which led to a move to Seattle in 1976, and later his tenure as Postmaster of Sandpoint from 1982 to 1994. Although the Postal Service probably doesn’t come to mind when one thinks of a rewarding profession, Norm loved it--he loved the people with whom he worked, he loved the customers, and he loved ruffling the feathers of the Postal Service hierarchy.
Most of all, he loved Sandpoint. He was a resident for 34 years — the longest he ever lived anywhere. He made many friends through his involvement with the Elks and golf. Oh, did he love golf! He never wanted to live anywhere else (who can blame him). He and his wife, Mallory L. Robbins, moved to Sandpoint in 1982. Just as Mallory finally shared Norm’s love of Sandpoint, she passed away in 1996. Norm was lucky to find love again with Joan Hawkins. Joan loved to golf, loved to laugh, and loved life, and she brought such joy to Norm. She preceded him in death in 2015.
Norm will be remembered for his kindness, his loving nature, his intelligence, and most of all, his humor. He always had a one-liner or obscure joke to share (“If I don’t see you in the future, I’ll see you in the pasture”). He loved to make people laugh, and he was damned good at it.
His charm and quick wit made every conversation a joy to engage, and his attentiveness to your dialogue made you feel so important to him no matter what he may have been dealing with. Natural charisma seemed to act as inescapable gravity that drew people to him and he could engage them with such ease, even the most shy of people felt comfortable.
He loved golf, Maynard Ferguson and Nancy Wilson, Frosted Flakes, good-natured teasing, belly laughs, coffee, cigarettes, John Wayne, Glenn Ford, and Kevin Costner westerns, animals, cowboy boots, and football … and more coffee and cigarettes. He despised intolerance, bigotry, and abuse of any kind, as well as waiting in line and weak coffee.
Norm is survived by his children, Fred Robbins of Silverdale, Washington; Joe Robbins (Pam) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Staccia Johnson (Steve) of Glendale, Arizona, and Mallory “Tuddy” Triplett (Gary) of Mukilteo, Washington, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great grandchild.
Tremendous heartfelt thanks to faithful and true friends Bill Coldsnow, Pat Brown and Mary Stevens for their devotion, to Bill and Beth Hawkins and Mitzi Hawkins for their help, and to EvergreenHealth Hospice (Kirkland, Washington) who provided exceptional people to comfort Norm and his family and who provided a sense of humor, peace and tranquility during Norm’s transition from this life to the next.
At Norm’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Messages and memories can be shared with the family at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/purdy-walters-at-floral-hills (Obituaries). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter or hospice organization.
“My life has taught me this: for a little while, the gentle winds will play among my ashes, then pledge them to the earth that will eventually cover us all. All else is providence.” – Norm Robbins