John William Robbins

John William Robbins was a lover of beautiful things.

Heaven welcomed him on March 17th, 2026, and earth will never be the same.

John found his Muse in the most curious and inevitable of places. Art, nature, fishing. Cinema and tobacco. The simplicity of his porch. In his students and family. Art teacher by trade, it filled his heart with compassion. He never judged, only asked that you sing the song only you could sing. With a glance back at his life one could see that he was blessed with a storybook journey.

He was a man born at first light. Raised by the fireside. He sailed the open seas.  Crossed the country coast to coast. Stood atop the Alps. Held his dearest very close. He strolled through harbors of Denmark and painted in Tahoe. Launched careers of young artists. Mingled with the wealthy and lived with the salt of the earth. Off to university he went to garner multiple degrees. Drafted into ‘Nam, a conscientious objector. He served there in the Army as a medical specialist.  Marched for Kennedy and rallied for peace.

 John danced with Sally on their wedding day. They promised then that their love will always stay. They raised three of their own, the world on their shoulders. He sang in the church choir. Played cards and threw darts, chaperoned school dances. He savored the finest meals from New York City to Los Angeles and everywhere in between. Enjoyed the best cinema the world had to offer. Ran a donut shop and meditated under the desert stars. He taught children to paint, to catch, and to fish. He lightly complained and always jested. Anger avoidance was his mission as he felt confrontation was to be poison.

John never had a cross word or judgment for anyone but himself. He adored sock ball fights and the warm chaos of a house filled with children. His door was always open. Football games, porch swings and cigar ashes. He built his classroom of art to break down fences. He loved Little League games to mountain expanses. Dance recitals, antiques, sunsets, songbirds and neighborly faces.

He was a soft, gentle giant, lord of his castle, tyrant of none, no need to make a hassle. His family will miss him, but his legacy remains. Keep the memories alive, those ones we share with the masses. Most of them held in those art room classes.

As his world journeys wound down, his heart found peace in the quietest of places. In the embraces of loved ones and the chatter ‘round the table. Being tucked in at night, good and tight. Don’t forget to tuck all around the edges.

John was the President of the Jayne Street Porch, Arbiter of Zen, Master of the Mindful, Denier of Judgment, Teacher of Art, Student of History, Supplier of Compassion, Sailor of the Southerly Oceans, where the wind and water are warm.  Fair winds and following seas, John.

John was born on September 10, 1944, to Ben and Rae Gene Robbins, and grew up with his sister, Amy Jo. His infant brother, Douglas died at birth. At his center were his wife, Sally Steinbach Robbins; his children, Steven, Nathan (Connie), and Katie (Creighton); and his granddaughters, Everly Ann and Wrenly RaeJene; children’s Godmother, Marla J. Weigert; aunts and uncles Gary and Jean, Glenn and Marlene, Geoffrey and Stephanie, Barbara and Larry, Patty and Jeff; cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the United Presbyterian Church in Lone Tree.  Following the service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lone Tree Fire and Rescue in memory of John.  Online condolences for the Robbins’ family may be sent to www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Lone Tree is caring for John’s family and arrangements.

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