Charles Snelling Robinson ⁹³⁰⁸

Asheville Citizen Times
Asheville, N.C.
September 17, 2006

CHARLES SNELLING ROBINSON

Asheville - Charles Snelling Robinson, 84, of Asheville, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, after several months of failing health.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio [sic] on July 4, 1922, he was the son of the late Snelling Salter and Evelyn Flanders Robinson. He resided most of his life in Lake Forest, Ill., until 1989 when he moved with his family to Asheville.

He wrote the following autobiographical summary several years ago, highlighting those events and achievements which he felt had shaped his life.

Mr. Robinson was a 1940 graduate of Milton Academy, having spent several months prior to the commencement of World War II as an exchange student to Westminster School in London, England. He graduated from Harvard College in 1943, where he accelerated his course of study in order to finish one year early, receiving his commission as an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve immediately upon graduating. While at Harvard, he was a member of the varsity lightweight crew for both 1942 and 1943, the team for the latter year being undefeated.

He served on active duty with the Navy from 1943 to 1946. During the entire tour of his active duty, he served aboard the U.S.S. Cotten, DD669. This destroyer was attached to the 3rd and 5th Fleets of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and participated in nine major operations and two major fleet actions (Battles of Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf). He retired from the Naval Reserve in 1963 with the rank of lieutenant commander.

His business career commenced in 1946 with the real estate firm of Sudler & Company in Chicago. He became a partner in 1954 and became president and chief executive officer in 1978. He also served as a director of the Central Standard Life Insurance Company from 1958 to 1965, and Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company from 1965 to 1980. He was a trustee of the Lake Forest Improvement Trust from 1970 to 1985. In 1985, he sold Sudler & Company and retired. He then enjoyed spending several of his retirement years writing a book, 200,000 Miles aboard the Destroyer Cotten, published in 2000, which chronicled his wartime experiences as a young naval officer.

Mr. Robinson is survived by his wife of 23 years, Carolyn Carlisle Robinson and daughter, Mary Ayer Robinson, both of Asheville; brother, Ralph L. F. Robinson of Bayside, Maine; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Keith Robinson, of Denver, Colo.

There will be no local services. The family will receive friends at home from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. today, Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CarePartners Mountain Area Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.

  Events

• He appeared on the census in 1930 at 527 College Road in Lake Forest, Lake County, Illinois. He lived in the household of his parents. Two servants lived in the home.

• He appeared on the census in 1940 at R.R. 1 Prairie View in Vernon, Lake County, Illinois. He lived in the household of his parents. One servant lived in the home.

Charles married Living

Charles next married Living