Obituary of Edward A. Robinson

Edward A. “Eddie” Robinson was born in 1932 and was a fourth generation native of Denver; his great grandfather Lewis Robinson settled in Lakewood, Colorado in 1885. Eddie attended Denver Public Schools, graduating from East High School; he then attended Colorado A&M College (now Colorado State University) graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1954.

Eddie then served in the U.S Army spending the majority of his service on active duty in Germany.  After being discharged from the service he then began his career in the family dairy business. Eddie spent his entire working career in the Dairy Products Processing Business, most notably he built Denver’s iconic Robinson Dairy, with his brother Dick Robinson.

He was kind, with a great sense of humor and always a willingness to offer good ideas and support. He enjoyed playing golf and cards, and was a member of Cherry Hills Country Club. He was President of the club in 2003.  Eddie liked to go out and enjoyed big parties and events.  He loved a good steak (often over cooked).  He knew everyone in the room and they knew him.  He was a devoted friend and a kind soul who cared deeply for his family and his community.   

Eddie and Dick have been renowned for their business, civic, charitable and political engagement in Colorado, making the family name synonymous with Denver business leadership and earning a place in the Colorado Business Hall of Fame.  Eddie served on 33 Boards and Commissions during his life-time. Until his death Eddie continued to serve as a Lifetime Member and past Chair of the Denver Zoological Foundation, the Denver Metro Convention and Visitor's Bureau (Visit Denver), and National Jewish Health Medical and Research Center.  He was a past Chair of St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.  Eddie was a Director Emeritus of the Colorado Restaurant Association and past Board Member of both Metro State College of Denver Foundation and the Colorado Commission of Higher Education.  Eddie also served on the Board of Central Bank Denver, and subsequently on the U.S. Bank Local Advisory (Colorado National Bank) Board. 

Eddie, often alongside his brother Dick, received over 35 community and civic recognitions and awards including the Citizen of the West Award (2009), The Arthur B. Lorber Award for Distinguished Service from National Jewish Health (2024), and the Richard P. Ayers Award for Distinguished Service from the Colorado Restaurant Association (1977).

Eddie is predeceased by his parents Sam Robinson z”l and Helen Robinson z”l; as well as his daughter Patti Robinson Kaufmann z”l (Steven Kaufmann). And he is survived by his wife Susan Robinson; daughters Debra Robinson (Jon Duvall) and Emily Gorelik (Steve Gorelik), step children Missy Geller, Gregory Geller, Jeffrey Geller (Gina Geller);  grandchildren Sam Gorelik (Ariella Gorelik), Zoie Gorelik, Jacob Stone (Chantal Stone); step grandchildren Jack Geller, Tatum Geller, and Frankie Sharman; step-grandchildren Jacob Duvall and Jonah Duvall; and three great-grandchildren Dominic Stone, Norah Stone and the youngest of two weeks Scottie Ann Gorelik.  Eddie is also survived by his brother Dick Robinson (Marcia Robinson), niece Ellen Robinson, nephew John Robinson (Lisa Robinson) and great nieces Rachel Robinson and Laura Robinson.

Service, Wednesday, Sept. 3^rd, 12:00noon, Temple Emanuel; interment Emanuel Cemetery; livestream available on Feldman Mortuary YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to National Jewish Health, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Denver Light the Night (Patti’s Team), Denver Zoo, Temple Emanuel Denver or a charity of choice.