Bruce D. Robinson, formerly of Taylorville, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Rochester. He was born on October 24, 1943, in Libertyville, the son of Dorris and Marjorie (Kane) Robinson. He married Susan Kirkpatrick on December 27, 1966, in Peoria. Bruce graduated from Stonington High School where he competed in athletics and was active in 4H and FFA. He attended the University of Illinois where he majored in Agriculture Economics, with a minor in Aviation, while also working as a farm manager. At the U of I, Bruce was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity and met the love of his life Susan at a fraternity exchange with 4H House.
Bruce was a member of the Army ROTC and following college he served in the U.S. Army between 1966 and 1969, achieving the rank of Captain. He served in Vietnam between 1967 and 1969 as a helicopter pilot, acting as a gunship platoon commander and company operations officer in an assault helicopter company. He received numerous awards, including air medals, air medals with a V for valor, and a Bronze Star for valor while under enemy fire. He then continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves for several years.
Following his time in the service, Bruce returned home to the farm as the 4th generation of his family to do so. After retirement from day-to-day operations of the farm, he stayed fully engaged and active in the business side of the operation, and even if he might have struggled to figure out all the features of his iPhone, he was always knowledgeable and forward looking when it came to technology in agriculture.
Bruce loved to boat with his family, and a close-as-family crew of lakegoing friends, on Lake Taylorville, as well as many boating vacations to Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas. Bruce and Sue later traded out the ski boat for a more comfortable cruiser on the Mississippi and spent several great years on the river. Deciding they wanted to see more of the country, they gave up the boat and traveled in a motor home for several years, eventually relocating full time to Florida.
He is survived by his wife: Susan Robinson; sons: Roy Robinson of Stonington and Mike Robinson (Nicole) of Bolingbrook; grandchildren: Brooke Robinson and Parker Robinson; siblings: Ken Robinson (Susie) of Carbondale, Colorado, and Dr. Anne Robinson (Alex Thompson) of Ft. Collins, Colorado; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bruce will be cremated, and no services are planned at this time. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to CurePSP (www.psp.org). McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Bruce, or condolences to the family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
