Donald “Robby” H. Robinson, 84, of Bellefonte, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. Born on July 28, 1940, in Philipsburg, he was the son of the late Jesse Wayne and Ethel Jane (Harpster) Robinson. On January 25, 1964, he married his beloved wife, Linda (Bollinger) Robinson, who survives at home after sharing 60 years of marriage together.
If you grew up in Port Matilda or played in the Centre County League in the ’60s, ’70’s or ’80s he was known as Bugs. He was a slick fielding infielder and an excellent hitter. When he was at Penn State, where he started for two years, he was just Don. And when he began his coaching career at Bellefonte, he was Robby. Outside of Linda, Julie, Jodie, and J.R. and the grandchildren, baseball was the love of his life. (A contribution from Ronald Bracken, a true friend)
Robby was a 1958 graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School. He then attended Penn State University, where he excelled on the baseball team as a 2nd baseman, graduating in 1962 with his bachelor’s degree. He continued as a player in the Centre County Baseball League into his 40’s. He worked as a Health and Physical Education teacher at the Bellefonte Middle School for 38 years until his retirement. During his career, he also coached for the Bellefonte Red Raiders Baseball team. In 2019, Donald was recognized for his athleticism and baseball career when he was inducted into the Centre County Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by his two daughters, Julie Sealy (Robert), and Jodie Orwig (David), four grandchildren, Olivia Sidorick, Victoria Creasy, Abigail Wolf, and Alex Orwig, and five great grandchildren, Maksim Elias Sidorick, Asher Isiah Sidorick, Baylor Matthew Wolf, Emerson Marie Wolf, and Maeve Abigail Wolf. Also surviving is a brother, Jay Robinson, and three sisters, Joanne Jenkins, Janie Taylor, and Judy Wesley.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jon Ryan “J.R.” Robinson, an infant brother, Ronald, and two sisters, Beverly Smith and Donna Jean Walters.
Robby was a member of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Varsity “S” Club. Additionally, he and Linda were actively involved with The Arc Centre County and were recognized with the Lisa Bowen Memorial Award for his advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
A public viewing will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. Funeral services will begin at 3:00 PM, at the funeral home, with Pastor Doug Conway officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Donald to The Arc, 171 Technology Drive, Suite 400, Boalsburg, PA 16827 or by going to www.taocc.org, or to the Bellefonte Baseball Booster Club, by sending checks made payable to the booster club to 830 E. Bishop Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, Attention: Athletic Director.