Terry L. Robinson: 1948-2013
Terry L. Robinson, 64, Bismarck, died May 17, 2013, due to an accidental death.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, ND, with Msgr. Brian Donahue as celebrant. Inurement will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Mandan VFW Post #707 and American Legion Post #40.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 3-8 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home, with Prayer Vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Terry was born to Harold Warren Robinson and Evelyn Ella (Brown) Robinson on August 8, 1948, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He graduated from Mandan High School in 1966. In 1970, he graduated from NDSU with a degree in Psychology.
Terry served in the United States military and the North Dakota Army National Guard for over 33 years. He enlisted in the Navy in 1970 and later transferred to the Army Reserve. He was commissioned as an officer in 1973. In 1979 he transferred to the North Dakota Army National Guard where he served until August 31, 2003, retiring at the rank of Colonel. He attended the United States Army War College in 1995/1996. His senior commands were commander, Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, Bismarck, ND, and commander 164th Regimental Training Institute, Devils Lake, ND. His highest federal award is the US Army Legion of Merit. He also received from the US Army Engineer Regiment the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal. In 2009 and 2011 he was appointed the rank of Brigadier General by the governor of North Dakota to act as a “State Flood Recovery Coordinator.” His military career was one of the highlights of his life.
In the fall of 1970, Terry went to work for the ND REC Magazine as advertising manager. In 1981, he acquired part ownership of the Farm and Ranch Guide. Terry was instrumental in creating a much loved rural paper that had a huge focus on the livestock industry. He had a special relationship with purebred cattle breeders from North Dakota and the surrounding states. He was extremely proud of his accomplishments in the cattle industry and felt very close to each and every one of his accounts. He always said he was a very lucky man to be involved with such a wonderful rural family. His expertise in his field will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He married Joyce (Miller), his high school sweetheart on August 23, 1969, and together they began a life-long journey filled with love and joy. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Cade and Kree. Over the years, Terry and Joyce became the grandparents to eight delightful grandchildren. He deeply loved his children and grandchildren.
His many hobbies included hunting, fishing and maintaining the rural yard he created. The annual Fall Grouse Fest with friends generated wonderful memories. His love of sailing and flying was a huge part of his enjoyment of life. His expertise in so many areas made him the person for family and friends to go to if they needed help. Many hearts were touched by his spirit, generosity and his love of God, family and country. He truly was one of a kind.
Terry will be deeply missed by his wife, Joyce; daughter Kree R. (Troy) Nelson, Bismarck; son, Cade M. (April), Bismarck; sister, Patty Robinson, Bismarck; grandchildren, Grace, Lily, Hazel and Nathan Robinson, Madalynn, Emma, Olivia and Salvador Nelson.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn Ella Brown and Harold Warren Robinson.
In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to ND Veterans Cemetery, Farm Rescue or Prairie Public TV.