Don "Sugar" Robinson

A MAN WHO LOVED LIFE…

After 94 years of a very well-lived life, Donald Stanger Robinson, died peacefully in his sleep in his apartment at Lincoln Court Retirement Community in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on February 24, 2023.

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on October 2,1928, Don was the seventh child of Grant Elijah and Sarah Stanger Robinson. He spent the first seventeen years of his life living and working on their family’s farm located in the foothills of Iona. If childhood can be held responsible for much of an adult’s approach to life, Don’s strong work ethic and sense of responsibility was certainly born working on that family farm. We remember him talking about both of his brothers being away fighting in World War II, leaving him the only boy at home to help with the chores of the farm. At the age of 12 he would get up at 4:30 a.m. every day and walk in the freezing cold to the barn to milk all the cows. To say the least, it was not one of his most fond memories!

Dad was charming, charismatic, had a great sense of humor and a wonderful way with words. His quick wit enabled him to come up with some hysterical puns, and he loved telling stories and jokes.

Our mother’s first experience of his spirited personality was after a basketball game between Iona and Ammon High Schools. She was a cheerleader for Ammon, and her beauty and sparkling personality caught dad’s eye. His buddies noticed his attraction and bet him that he wasn’t brave enough to ask her to dance. Dad took the bet and marched across the basketball court, and stated, “My friends bet me that I wouldn’t dare ask you to dance, but the thing is, I don’t know how to dance!” His charm, rather than his limited dancing ability, must have won her over, because she gladly accepted and offered to teach him. That began their love affair and 62 year long journey together. He married his cheerleader, Shirley Yvonne Robison, September 25, 1946; and as it turned out, they were great dancing partners!

Early in their marriage, they gave dancing lessons to youth groups of the Mormon church. Shortly after their marriage, Dad began his life’s work in the automotive parts industry. With his charm, strong values, and work ethic, he convinced the owner of Simpson’s, Inc, a parts store in Idaho Falls, to hire him even though Mr. Simpson wasn’t looking for additional employees at the time. It wasn’t too long before dad was promoted to manager; and in 1959, Mr. Simpson came to him with an opportunity to purchase the business.

Simpson’s Inc. continued to flourish under Dad’s ownership, and in 1968 he and our Mother opened Keyline Automotive Warehouse, the first automotive parts distributorship in Idaho. Our father also opened branches of Simpson’s in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As owners of Keyline they were fortunate to attend many conferences and conventions, some of which were held in other countries, giving them the opportunity to travel to Africa, Tahiti, Scotland, Aruba, and St Thomas.

Dad was an active member of the community, and was a member of the Elks Club, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. Last year he was honored as the oldest living member of the Idaho Falls Elks Club.

Both of our parents loved life and their many friends. As such, there were a lot of parties and great times to be had in our formative years. Boating on Palisades Lake with Tom & Lyla Felts and their kids was a favorite time for all of us. We all loved boating and water skiing, and Dad was exceptionally good at it. Not long after the boat was in the water, he would announce, “Well I guess it’s time to get on Clyde and ride!” (Clyde was the name of his slalom ski.) He sure cut up the waves on that ski!

Almost everyone who knew Dad called him Sugar. This nickname came about during one of his birthday celebrations when one of their best friends, Donna Murphy, gave a birthday toast for him, saying something like….'Pound for pound you’re the sweetest thing around! Here’s to Sugar!”, thus christening him as ‘Sugar’ for the rest of his life. The name was very fitting. Dad was a kind, compassionate and caring man, and was always ready to help others. Our father also loved to play golf, and in the 1980’s our parents began spending time in St.George, Utah, in the winters. They both spent many hours on the Bloomington Golf Course, and Dad fondly called his golf group The Grumpy Old Men!

As young parents, we three daughters loved to visit them there. While we were spending one Thanksgiving with them, Dad created a new dance and playfully led all the grand-kids through the house doing his Turkey Trot. In 1987 they began construction of their dream home in St. George and retired there in 1991. Here they also made many wonderful friends and continued to have great times hosting and attending many parties.

Another one of his many talents was a great singing voice. As children we usually started out our days listening to Dad singing or whistling. Whether he was washing his car or working in the yard, he was usually singing. When he moved back to Idaho Falls in 2021 and was a resident at Lincoln Court, he still loved to sing. Once this talent was discovered, he was designated as the one to sing Happy Birthday to all the residents on their special day. He also took it upon himself to welcome new residents to Lincoln Court, telling them to ‘Give it some time. Soon you’ll settle in and see that this is a good place to be.’

May you rest in peace Dad. You were a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather, as well as a good friend to so many. Thank you for the wonderful life you gave us. We know you are dancing in heaven with Mom now, but you will be greatly missed here by all who were lucky enough to know you and love you.

Don leaves behind his daughters, Marcia Robinson-Rouse (Doug) of St. George, Utah, Kristi Robinson Sucher (Dee), and Janna Robinson Long (John) of Idaho Falls; a sister, LuDene Johnson of Idaho Falls, as well as eight grandchildren and nine great grand children.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his parents, Grant and Sarah Robinson; two sisters, Dorothy Clayton and Cleo Steel; an infant sister, Lucille Robinson, who died during the flu pandemic at 18 months old; two brothers, Alfred "AJ" Robinson and Grant Elbert "Eb" Robinson.

A private graveside service and a Celebration of Life will be held in the early summer in Idaho Falls.

His family would like to thank the caring staff at Lincoln Court for taking good care of him and helping him to feel at home there the last year and a half of his life. We are also grateful to the wonderful nurses from Symbii Hospice.