Earl C. Robbins, Jr.

Earl Clinton “Robbie” Robbins, Jr, died in Aurora, CO, on 9/11/2023.  He was born in San Antonio, TX, on March 9, 1929, to his parents, Col. Earl Clinton Robbins and Josephine Shutts Robbins. As the son of an Army Air Corp officer, he lived in several different locations while growing up, including Alaska and Hawaii.

His love for flying came naturally, from his father, and he became a pilot while still in his teens. One story frequently told was of an emergency landing in the open country near Fairbanks, AK, when he was 17. His younger brother, Chuck, was along for the ride on this adventure. They received help from nearby residents and were fine.

He joined the Air Force in 1953 and became a fighter pilot. He attended the University of New Mexico/Albuquerque as well as the University of Nebraska and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.  While stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, TX, he met and later married Mary Elois Butts, an Air Force nurse. They were married 62 years, until her death in March of 2021. As a military family, they lived in several different locations and raised their two daughters, Shannon and Jill. Lt Col Robbins spent a year in Vietnam, 1966-67, flying the RF-4 Phantom jet on nighttime reconnaissance missions. He retired from the Air Force in 1974, and the family moved to the beautiful mountains of Colorado. After 2 years, he realized how much he missed flying and became a corporate/charter pilot until 1986.

Earl loved climbing mountains and climbed both the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc in Europe, as well as the Grand Teton and Devils Tower (several times) in Wyoming. He introduced his grandkids to his love of hiking and rock climbing in the area around Chautauqua and the Flat Irons in Boulder, CO.

A lifelong music lover, he learned to play the piano as a child, starting off with classical music and later jazz. He was a talented player and wrote several of his own arrangements of popular songs. “Georgia on my Mind” was a favorite of both Robbie and Mary. As an adult, he also learned classical guitar; “Malaguena” was a favorite piece.

Family was so important to Robbie. He is survived by his daughters, Shannon Monahan (Marty), and Jill Robbins; seven grandchildren: Ryan (Cassandra), Justin (Carlyn), Lindsay (Jeff), Chelsea (Colt), Daniel, Molly, and Katelyn, as well as five great-grandchildren: Kaili, Ava, Hailey, Caleb and Zoe. He is also survived by a niece, Carol Robbins, and nephew, Chuck Robbins. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Charles, and the love of his life, his wife, Mary.

Visitation will be at Horan & McConaty in Aurora, CO, on 9/26/2023, beginning at 11:00, followed by a service at noon. A military ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery will be held on 9/26 at 2:00.