Jerry Kenneth Robbins died on Oct. 30, 2023, in Falmouth, Mass.
He was born on Sept. 7, 1935, in Cambridge, Md., son of Anna Bubb Robbins and Alexander Goldsborough Robbins.
He received his public-school education in Baltimore, Md., graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1954. In 1957 he graduated with a bachelor of arts from Gettysburg College, and in 1961, bachelor of divinity from Yale University Divinity School.
He married Alice May Starbranch in 1960. For several years he served a pastorate in Baltimore. He was installed as the Lutheran Campus Pastor at West Virginia University in 1964 where he also earned a master of arts in philosophy in 1970. In 1977 he received a Ph.D. from Hartford Seminary Foundation for his dissertation on “Process Soteriology.” He worked as Lutheran Campus Pastor at West Virginia University until retirement in 2001. For the next 20 years Alice and Jerry traveled as “snowbirds” between Morgantown, and Ocala, Fla. In 2020 they moved to Atria Woodbriar in Falmouth, Mass.
A prolific writer, he authored four books, thirty articles and over one hundred book reviews. He received the 1998 Joseph Sittler Award for Excellence in Writing. In retirement he expanded on a lifetime of aviation enthusiasm and took up the hobby of radio-controlled model aircraft. He enjoyed writing and editing for numerous model aviation newsletters and magazines, always bringing a wry sense of humor and crisp comic art.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Starbranch Robbins; brother-in-law, Charles Starbranch (Linda); child, Dr. Pelle Erin Robbins; daughter-in-law, Amy Gustaveson Robbins; grandsons, Luke Gustaveson Robbins, Jefferson Chase Robbins, and Jonathon Eric Robbins; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son, Dr. Mark Kenneth Robbins; and siblings Richard, Vernon, and Faith Robbins.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the ELCA World Hunger, 8765 West Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL, 60631 or Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU, 1497 University Ave, Morgantown, WV, 26505.
A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 485 Brick Kiln Rd, Falmouth, MA, at 2 p.m. on Nov. 29.
For online guestbook visit www.chapmanfuneral.com.
