Obituary of Richard Wesley Robbins

GOUVERNEUR – Richard "Dick" Wesley Robbins, age 84, of Gouverneur, passed away at home on Friday, December 4, 2015. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the New St. James Catholic Cemetery with Father Stephen Rocker officiating. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Dick was born on October 24, 1931 in Antwerp to the late Wesley Richard and Ruth (Vroman) Robbins. He attended school in Antwerp and served in the United States Marine Corp in Japan during the Korean Conflict. He served from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1954. Mr. Robbins received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Dick married Arlene V. Beckstead on August 7, 1954. The couple lived in Sommerville for 40 years before moving to Gouverneur. Mr. Robbins started work at St. Lawrence University as a painter before joining the Cives Steel Company as a welder and fitter. He worked for Cives Steel for 31 years before his retirement in 1997. Dick always enjoyed working and after his retirement he worked part-time doing janitorial work for the Gouverneur Central School District for 12 years. Dick loved music and his band, "Dick Robbins and the Troubadours" played on WIGS Radio every Saturday night for several years. He was a jack of all trades who could do anything and enjoyed playing horseshoes and cards, and going camping. His survivors include his wife, Arlene of Gouverneur; daughter, Vicki and Richard McClare of Antwerp; sons, Kevin and Kathy Robbins of Baldwinsville, Rick Robbins of Louisiana; daughter-in-law, Patti Robbins of Gouverneur; 9 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mr. Robbins is predeceased by his parents; a sister, Betty Robbins; two sons, David Wayne and Alan Robbins; and a daughter-in-law, Carol Robbins. Donations in memory of Dick may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 7, East Syracuse NY 13057 or the Gouverneur Business Women's Breast Cancer Fund, PO Box 64, Gouverneur NY 13642.