Del Robison

Del Robison

Delber Gene Robison, 86 of Kirksville passed away Wednesday (January 28, 2015) at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

The son of Bernard Murry and Myrtle (Brooks) Robison, he was born March 22, 1928 in Novinger, MO. On June 29, 1947 at the Novinger Methodist Church he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Ellsworth.

Del is survived by his wife, Norma; a sister-in-law, Margarite Robison of Novinger, MO; six nieces, Debbie (Robison0 Foreman of Novinger, Lora (Robison) Gosney of Novinger, Nancy (Robison) Wilson of Macon, MO, Belinda (Hanlin) Franklin of Yantis, TX, Carol (Truitt) McLin of Iowa, and Patty (Robison) Todd of Hannibal, MO; five nephews, Brent Robison of Novinger, Tom Robison of Moberly, MO, Rick Robison of Cleveland, OH, Jim Hanlin of Brashear, MO and Jack Hanlin of Kirksville; and several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Junior, Leland and Bill Robison; and three sisters, Leola Jones, Beatrice Truitt and Peggy Airale.

Del grew up in the Novinger area where he attended grade school at Bunker Hill, and graduated from the Novinger High School. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1957 with a BS in Education. He graduated with his master’s degree in Education in 1962 and later attended Washington University. He started his teaching career in Novinger schools, he then went to the Moberly School District and then to the Pattonville School District in St. Louis County where he was the Science Director and operator of the Planetarium and Observatory until he retired in 1984. He later worked for Waddill and Reed in Chesterfield, MO. Del was instrumental in the opening of the Planetarium at Truman State University and was honored at its opening in in 2014.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, Senior Circle, and the Optimist Club. He enjoyed the night sky, traveling and camping, reading, gardening and taking care of his yard.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday (January 31, 2015) at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Richard Northcutt officiating. Burial will be in the Novinger Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tom Robison, Brent Robison, Rick Robison, Gary Foreman, Jim Hanlin, and Jack Hanlin. Honorary bearers will be Leslie Ellsworth, Dean Ellsworth, Joe Seay, Glen Sallade and Harold Sandretto.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium, First United Methodist Church or the Novinger Methodist Church.