Robinson Named ‘Light of Valley’
Auto dealer’s dedication to youth honoredBy JOHN McCABE
Article Photos
WHEELING - Bob Robinson believes the Light of the Valley award he received Wednesday actually belongs to hundreds of people - those who helped mold his character over the years.
Many of those people, ranging from his former Harrisville, W.Va., high school football teammates to his wife Anne, his parents and his 91-year-old mother-in-law, showed up at Wheeling Park's White Palace to help honor the man many know simply as "Coach."
The YMCA's Light of the Valley award, also known as the Dr. Lee Jones "Patron of Youth" award, is in its third year, with Oglebay Foundation Chief Executive Officer G. Randolph Worls and the Most Rev. Bernard W. Schmitt being honored in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The award recognizes someone whose life reflects his or her contributions and dedication to the quality of life for youth and families in the community.
Robinson, who has coached thousands of area kids over the years, said he is humbled to be listed on the same award as Worls and Schmitt.
When told of the award earlier this year by YMCA board members H. Lawrence Jones and Larry Williams, Robinson said "it really did make me reflect upon my life and wonder how I possibly could be considered for an award that Randy Worls and Bishop Schmitt have received. I thought back to something my mother had impressed upon me. She said that the people you surround yourself with mold you.
"... I'm proud to be surrounded by this special audience that recognizes that they are reaching out to the youth and family of this community through this special fundraiser. You have molded me, so I accept this special honor on your behalf," Robinson said Wednesday.
Robinson, president of the Robinson Automotive Group, has been affiliated with the YMCA since he moved to Wheeling, serving on the board of directors and as president of the board.
He also chaired the YMCA's 2003 renovation and expansion program, which raised $2.5 million.
He credited the YMCA for opening doors that otherwise may have been closed. Robinson said his dedication to the YMCA stems from his father's teaching that "we must give back to our community."
"I believe the YMCA is our community center," he said. "I believe it touches almost every family in some way. ... I believe it blurs the social and economic barriers and gives people the opportunity to be lifelong friends who might never have interacted if not for the YMCA."
He said many of his longest friendships started on the Y basketball court.
"I look today at those boys from the Y, and we are still friends from those days of our youth," he added.
Robinson also recognized many of the YMCA leaders he's worked with over the years, along with members of the Harrisville High School Gators football team.
"I look at the YMCA board and past presidents Dr. Larry Jones, Dr. Gary Kenamond, Pat Henry and current president Jamie Bordas," he said. "I think about their tireless efforts for the families and youth of the Ohio Valley. I see Joe Wilson, who came up with the idea to have this luncheon, and I remember Dr. Lee Jones' contagious energy raising money for the building project. I see Mike Panas, YMCA executive director, who performs his job with a passion. And I look and see members of my high school football team, and I'm reminded of that special season we had, and that we're still connected to this day."
Robinson was introduced by his son, Jim Robinson, who reflected on his father's commitment to working with the area's youth. Jim Robinson said his father's life was heavily influenced by his high school coach, Coach Atkins.
"According to my father, Coach Atkins was a man of character who took responsibility for his mistakes and gave glory to his players, who taught you that success or failure was up to you. He had such an effect on my father that he wanted his kids to have the same or similar experience," Jim Robinson said. "His first kid happened to be his younger brother, Jim. My father was 17 when he coached Jim's baseball team. My sister and I were coached by my father in New Martinsville in fifth and sixth grades. ... He continued coaching fifth and sixth grades until we left New Martinsville ... and then he got an opportunity to coach at Wheeling Central.
"I'm sure the kids he's coached number in the thousands. ... My father has had an incredible opportunity to have a personal impact at a time when a kid's life was being formed."
Bob Robinson also gave special recognition to his family, particularly wife Anne and children Jim and Roberta Robinson Olejasz, for their support.
"I've been privileged to grow up with our children, Jimmy and Roberta, and I watched them accomplish things I only dreamed of doing," he said, noting his two children have blessed he and Anne with five grandchildren - four girls, one boy. "So many of our friends have to leave town to visit their children and their grandchildren, and I recognize how fortunate we are that they all live here in Wheeling.
"I look out in the audience and I see my mother, my father, my 91-year-old mother in law, my brother and his wife, Anne's three sisters and their spouses and I realize how much we've shared together as family and friends, and how much they have influenced my life."
Sam Stout, a longtime friend of Robinson's from their Harrisville High School days, drove from Vienna, W.Va., to attend Wednesday's event. He said there is no better example of a giving person than Bob Robinson.
"Bob is someone who's been giving back to the community his entire life. I'm very happy for him, and this award just points out what an outstanding person he is," Stout said.
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wvhoopie
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08-21-09 7:15 PM
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Robinson is swimming in cash from the cash for clunkers!
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AlexanderShulgin
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08-21-09 5:18 PM
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such a joke.
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GETACLUE
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08-21-09 10:19 AM
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In a related story "ROBINSON NAMED OGDEN ADVERTISER OF THE YEAR" see front page for details.
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SphinxRising58
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08-20-09 11:59 PM
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So he sells cars , took tax breaks to move to the highlands, and for that is voted as " light of the valley " ? Of course, if he raised 2.5 million for my buisness, I would vote him light of the valley also, lol Gee, if anyone deserves light of the valley vote, I would think it would be all the people who could have way beter paying jobs, but choose to help the poor instead, and not some rich dude.
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Melvin
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08-20-09 8:16 PM
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Comments deemed controversial will be removed, as the article is about an advertiser.
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