John Robinson
May 15, 1949 ~ August 20, 2021
John Vernon Robinson of Marion, Iowa, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Friday August 20, 2021. John, the fourth of five children born to Margaret and George Francis (Robbie) Robinson, was born on May 15, 1949, in Ottumwa, Iowa.
After graduating from Walsh High School in Ottumwa in 1967, John began his college education at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. He completed his education at the University of Northern Iowa where he earned a Masters in Social Work degree. After working with troubled youth in Eldora, Iowa and at the State Hospital in Mount Pleasant, Iowa John decided to return to school. He earned a Masters in School Psychology degree at the University of Iowa.
After graduating from Iowa, John worked briefly as a school psychologist for the Grant Wood Area Education Agency (AEA) in Cedar Rapids. He then decided to work as a school psychologist at international schools overseas starting in 1979. For the next 20 years, John lived and worked at international schools in 5 different countries including Belgium, Egypt, Japan, Bangladesh and Thailand.
In 1999, John returned to the United States and once again worked as a school psychologist for the Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids. He worked at a number of schools in and around Cedar Rapids until he retired in 2014.
John loved international traveling, reading and writing, cartooning, the opera and arguing politics with anyone brave enough to raise this topic with him. John never married but he was a loving brother and a supportive uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janie. He is survived by his brother, Frank (Donna) of Walford, Iowa; sister, Karolyn (Jim) Daugherty of Ottumwa, Iowa; and sister, Mary Beth (Steve) Craig of Urbandale, Iowa. He is also survived by seven nieces and eight nephews, as well as 25 great nieces and great nephews.
Per his wishes, John will be cremated and his remains will be interred near his parents in Ottumwa, Iowa. In light of current Covid restrictions, there will be a later celebration of John's life for friends and family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
As a child, I remember how excited I would get when we were told Uncle John was coming for a visit. Not only did I love hearing stories of living in these exotic, far-off places, but he always brought us a small gift from each location. To this day, I still have many of them & they remind me of him. The last time I saw Uncle John, he talked about a trip through South Dakota, North Dakota & on through to Washington. Always a wanderlust at heart. Love you forever. Christine
We were introduced to John at Panera’s and so enjoyed our visits with him there. He had a love of life and a vast knowledge of the world. Our condolences to your family. Marilyn and Sam Bailey
Thank you Marilyn and Sam, we meet you once at Panera’s with John. We thank you for all the good times you showed John . He certainly enjoyed visiting with you. Frank and Donna
MaryBeth and the Robinson family. So very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother John. May he rest in peace. Rose Stoy Finnigsmier
I met John in Bangkok, Thailand where we were both hired the same year to work at International School Bangkok – he as a school counselor and me as a high school biology teacher. We were friends for over 30 years since then. What drew me to John was his sense of humor, quick wit, remarkable memory, and voluminous knowledge of a wide range of subjects garnered from his passion for reading. He at times was known to be abrupt and to speak his mind against conventional beliefs and institutional rules. John was a popular elementary school counselor at ISB and the children loved his kind nature, steady guidance, jokes, and funny faces. His adventurous spirit matched mine and we experienced much together in our trips to and about Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Laos, and Bangladesh. Whether in a Bangkok bar or touring the temples in Burma we both shared a love for places less traveled. After John retired to Iowa and I to Seattle we kept up this friendship through correspondence for many years. John even continued his quest for adventure until recently by doing thousands of miles of solo road trips through numerous States while trying to experience more of America. I can sincerely say that John was a good friend of mine and that I will sorely miss him. I can almost hear John now – laughing with the angels! Dan Stantus
John was one of my best friends in High School and for many decades afterwards. He was a gentle, jovial and articulate friend and well liked by all. He will be missed but not forgotten. Farewell my good friend.
It was my pleasure to work with John as a school psychologist at the Grant Wood AEA. I am very sorry to learn of his passing.
I was so sorry to read of John’s death. I hadn’t seen him since his retirement but always enjoyed conversations with him when we worked together at GWAEA. I loved his sense of humor and his writings. He definitely lived life to the fullest! My sympathies to his family. Priscilla Polehna
I worked with John at Grant Wood for several years. I loved hearing his stories about his overseas travels. He always had great ideas about how to ‘fix’ the problems in the education system. He was a champion for the children he worked with. So sorry for your loss. Hillary Prall
I worked with John for many years at Grant Wood AEA as his secretary. He always had a story (or two) to share and I sure enjoyed his sense of humor. Karen Michalec
I worked with John at Grant Wood AEA for many years. He was a great psychologist and fun to visit with. I recently saw him at HyVee and enjoyed catching up. So sorry to hear this news. Kristen Larson
I was saddened to hear of John’s passing, but as I think about John and the fond memories I have of him, I am quick to smile. John and I both worked at the International School Bangkok. It was always easy to carry on a conversation with John on any topic. He was interested and knowledgeable about many things. His ability to tell good stories or share his thoughts were especially welcomed during the long trips that a group of us would take as we ventured throughout SE Asia. He was a great colleague as well, always optimistic and supportive. I am so glad I had the chance to know John. My memories of the friendship we had , and our travels together will be always be treasured.