Mendel Leno (Robi) Robinson, Jr. 1931-2008
College of Textiles, NC State University
College of Textiles, NC State University
Mendel Leno Robinson, Jr. May 4, 1931 – September 28, 2008
Years of Service at NC State 1957 -1997
Mendel L. (Robi) Robinson, Jr. was born in Camden, S.C., the son of Mendel L. Robinson, and Mittie West
Robinson. He attended public schools and graduated from Paw Creek High School in suburban Charlotte. His
father and grandfather, both college graduates, worked for the Kendall Corporation, manufacturers of Kotex
brand feminine hygiene products. Robi’s father was a towering 6 ft 4 inches tall and Robi had promise of such
heights until he had a burst or perhaps leaking appendix that made him gangrenous. He kept this pain a
secret for several days until he was really sick and nearly died. Only the administration of the new wonder drug,
penicillin saved his life. Shortly thereafter, at age 14 during a polio epidemic, he contracted that dreaded
disease that would wear on him throughout his long life. He never grew beyond about 5 ft 4 in. tall, but made up
for it in heart. He met Donna Lee (affectionately known to Robi as “Fang”) Padgett, and on only the seventh
date, he asked her whether there was any way she might marry him one day. She said, “Certainly! What has
taken you so long?”(1)
After high school, he enrolled in the textiles program at N.C. State and found the second love of his life, the
study of textiles and the interaction with young people. Robi and Donna never had children of their own but
must have parented hundreds if not a thousand young students through the years. His first “job” in the school
was a paper grading assignment offered by Professor Ed Bradford. (2) After earning the B.S. Textiles in 1955,
he continued his education by earning an MS Textile Technology in 1966 and D.Ed. in 1971 from NC State
because there was no PhD in Textiles. His teaching career began officially in 1957. During his 40 year teaching
career that lasted until his retirement in 1997, he was honored by the university with two Outstanding Teacher
Awards in the College in 1970 again in 1973. He earned the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award for 1976-
1979. (2) His picture appeared in the 1976 NC State Agromeck yearbook as the students honored their
“Friends”. In this case, the outstanding teacher from each college was depicted. (3) One dean who often
described the College's faculty has having a certain number of engineers, chemists, physicists, technologists,
etc and TWO EDUCATORS. (One was Robi, of course.) I don't think the Dean ever recognized this was not
necessarily a positive way to describe a faculty of 40+ individuals. It was greatly appreciated by the students
that somebody or bodies cared for the undergraduates and not just research!
The door to his office was never closed to students who flocked there to talk about their problems. Often there
were several students camped out at the same time. It is a wonder he ever got his papers graded or his
lectures prepared.
Robi enjoyed reading, owning sports cars (a Crosley Hotshot and a VW 4CV), collecting several hundred 1/43-
scale model sports cars, following Wolfpack sports, Atlanta Braves baseball, golf and communicating with
friends. He used WEB TV as his link to the email world after retirement. Whenever the Atlanta Braves were on
TV, Robi rooted and screamed all by himself as though he were at the game. He could recall league-standing
stats and the names of players years after the records were made.
Robi died September 28, 2008 of complications caused by his long fight with polio and its crippling effects.
Tributes
Several former students sent notes of appreciation. Here are two examples:
Robby (sic) will never be forgotten by me as he was my mentor and friend during my time spent in Textiles at
NCSU. I cannot think of a better friend and influence. ’75 TXT
Please know that Robi had a significant and positive impact on all of us during our years in graduate school at
NCSU. Our weekly trips to lunch at the Canton Restaurant on Hillsborough Street, were filled with food, fun, and
friendship that have stayed with us over the years. His challenges in and out of class made our pursuit of an
advanced degree even more valuable.
Thanks for sharing him with us, With fond memories, A graduate student.
Sources:
1. Private Communication, Donna Robinson, January 12, 2012.
2. Mock, Gary N., A Century of Progress: The Textile Program North Carolina State University 1899-1999,
North Carolina Textile Foundation, Raleigh, 2001.
3. 1976 NCSU Agromeck, page 213 http://historicalstate.lib.ncsu.edu/pageturner/agromeck1976nort?
page=213&q=school+of+textiles
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2012
Additions: Mock.Gary@yahoo.com
Years of Service at NC State 1957 -1997
Mendel L. (Robi) Robinson, Jr. was born in Camden, S.C., the son of Mendel L. Robinson, and Mittie West
Robinson. He attended public schools and graduated from Paw Creek High School in suburban Charlotte. His
father and grandfather, both college graduates, worked for the Kendall Corporation, manufacturers of Kotex
brand feminine hygiene products. Robi’s father was a towering 6 ft 4 inches tall and Robi had promise of such
heights until he had a burst or perhaps leaking appendix that made him gangrenous. He kept this pain a
secret for several days until he was really sick and nearly died. Only the administration of the new wonder drug,
penicillin saved his life. Shortly thereafter, at age 14 during a polio epidemic, he contracted that dreaded
disease that would wear on him throughout his long life. He never grew beyond about 5 ft 4 in. tall, but made up
for it in heart. He met Donna Lee (affectionately known to Robi as “Fang”) Padgett, and on only the seventh
date, he asked her whether there was any way she might marry him one day. She said, “Certainly! What has
taken you so long?”(1)
After high school, he enrolled in the textiles program at N.C. State and found the second love of his life, the
study of textiles and the interaction with young people. Robi and Donna never had children of their own but
must have parented hundreds if not a thousand young students through the years. His first “job” in the school
was a paper grading assignment offered by Professor Ed Bradford. (2) After earning the B.S. Textiles in 1955,
he continued his education by earning an MS Textile Technology in 1966 and D.Ed. in 1971 from NC State
because there was no PhD in Textiles. His teaching career began officially in 1957. During his 40 year teaching
career that lasted until his retirement in 1997, he was honored by the university with two Outstanding Teacher
Awards in the College in 1970 again in 1973. He earned the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award for 1976-
1979. (2) His picture appeared in the 1976 NC State Agromeck yearbook as the students honored their
“Friends”. In this case, the outstanding teacher from each college was depicted. (3) One dean who often
described the College's faculty has having a certain number of engineers, chemists, physicists, technologists,
etc and TWO EDUCATORS. (One was Robi, of course.) I don't think the Dean ever recognized this was not
necessarily a positive way to describe a faculty of 40+ individuals. It was greatly appreciated by the students
that somebody or bodies cared for the undergraduates and not just research!
The door to his office was never closed to students who flocked there to talk about their problems. Often there
were several students camped out at the same time. It is a wonder he ever got his papers graded or his
lectures prepared.
Robi enjoyed reading, owning sports cars (a Crosley Hotshot and a VW 4CV), collecting several hundred 1/43-
scale model sports cars, following Wolfpack sports, Atlanta Braves baseball, golf and communicating with
friends. He used WEB TV as his link to the email world after retirement. Whenever the Atlanta Braves were on
TV, Robi rooted and screamed all by himself as though he were at the game. He could recall league-standing
stats and the names of players years after the records were made.
Robi died September 28, 2008 of complications caused by his long fight with polio and its crippling effects.
Tributes
Several former students sent notes of appreciation. Here are two examples:
Robby (sic) will never be forgotten by me as he was my mentor and friend during my time spent in Textiles at
NCSU. I cannot think of a better friend and influence. ’75 TXT
Please know that Robi had a significant and positive impact on all of us during our years in graduate school at
NCSU. Our weekly trips to lunch at the Canton Restaurant on Hillsborough Street, were filled with food, fun, and
friendship that have stayed with us over the years. His challenges in and out of class made our pursuit of an
advanced degree even more valuable.
Thanks for sharing him with us, With fond memories, A graduate student.
Sources:
1. Private Communication, Donna Robinson, January 12, 2012.
2. Mock, Gary N., A Century of Progress: The Textile Program North Carolina State University 1899-1999,
North Carolina Textile Foundation, Raleigh, 2001.
3. 1976 NCSU Agromeck, page 213 http://historicalstate.lib.ncsu.edu/pageturner/agromeck1976nort?
page=213&q=school+of+textiles
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2012
Additions: Mock.Gary@yahoo.com
Robi and Fang Cutting Up
Robi and Friends at Retirement Party
A "Cool" Young Robi
Robi in His Office
One of the students' 'Friends' in the 1976
Agromeck yearbook (3)
Agromeck yearbook (3)