Kenneth Clair Robinson, aged 86 of Silverton, Oregon, died peacefully and without pain from kidney failure at home surrounded by his loving wife and two children.

Kenneth was born in Mansfield, OH on May 25, 1935 to Ethel Eloise Bond Robinson (1915-1990) and John Clair Robinson (1911-1978). An only child, Kenneth moved many times during his childhood with his parents back and forth between Ohio, Florida, and California. This experience left him with the firm commitment to raise his own children in one location.

He graduated from William R. Boone High School (Orlando, Florida) in 1953 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1955. Kenneth enjoyed sharing stories of the year his unit was deployed to Iceland where he worked in radio communications. Another highlight was marching in President Eisenhower's second inauguration festivities, January 1957.

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1959, Kenneth worked for RCA, a private contractor with NASA. He spent three years on Grand Turk managing the communications center that tracked early satellites and nascent space flight. Kenneth even met Astronaut John Glenn and his crew when they splashed down near Grand Turk in 1962 and spent several days there. One of Kenneth's prized possessions is a signed photograph from Colonel John Glenn. While on the islands, Kenneth also enjoyed open sea sailing and fishing.

Kenneth's next transfer with RCA took him to Pretoria, South Africa (near Johannesburg), where he met his blue-eyed maiden true love—Miss Susara Susanna Buys. Their mutual love of Jesus Christ and classical music quickly drew them together and after two months of dating, Kenneth proposed through a personally written love poem. Married in Pretoria in 1965, Kenneth and "Susanna-bell" would have celebrated 56 years of marriage on October 2, 2021. They lived the early years of their union in South Africa where Kenneth owned and operated a Fiat car garage. Together they have enjoyed traveling through Europe and the United States and have made multiple return visits to South Africa over the years.

By 1972, the couple and their two children had settled on a small Christmas Tree farm in Silverton Hills above Drakes Crossing. They named the farm Kaya Entabeni , Zulu for Home on the Mountain . Kenneth loved Oregon rain and the smell of evergreen trees.  Working in the fields brought him great joy and contentment for 37 years. This kept him going through all of the challenges that came along with Christmas Tree farming. During his early years on the farm, Kenneth also completed his Associates degree in Business Administration at Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

During his decades living in Silverton Hills, Kenneth served on the Silver Crest School Board, the Drakes Crossing Fire Department Board, organized the local Neighbor Hood Watch program, worked at the Drakes Crossing Oktoberfest Booth, and served as greeter and ticket seller at the Silverton Hills Strawberry Festival for many years. Kenneth loved meeting new people and hearing their story. From one year to the next he remembered visitors from other states and parts of Oregon who planned their vacation time in Oregon around the dates of the Strawberry Festival. He and Susanna left their beloved Kaya Entabeni in 2009 to move into Silverton.

Kenneth has been a member of the Sunnyslope Christian Reformed Church since moving to Oregon in 1972. The only thing that kept him from making the nearly hour long drive to church mid-week and on Sundays were winter snow storms that blocked Bridge Creek Road sometimes for days. More recently, the restrictions of the Covid19 Pandemic also kept him from regularly seeing his church family and enjoying in-person worship.

Together with Susanna, Kenneth enjoyed participating in a small group bible study group for many years and monthly gatherings with friends. They also enjoyed attending classical music concerts at the Elsinore Theater and other venues in both Salem and Portland. Swimming, lifting weights, and making new friends at The Courthouse Sports Club brought Kenneth a special joy in his later years.

Kenneth loved his family, always showing a keen interest in getting to know his children's interests and friends and supporting his children's undertakings through the decades. From building footstools to sell at the Silver Crest Christmas Bazaar, to serving as Santa Claus during the school's Christmas Concert, to helping to coordinate the all-night Graduation Night Party for his high school graduating children, Kenneth was an active father and Oupa (grandfather). He shared his love for hunting with his son, his love for learning with his daughter, and his love for technical work with his grandson. Above all, he shared his love for Jesus Christ through how he lived his life and how he cared for people.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Susara Susanna, his daughter Elmarie E-Robinson Parker and husband Scott E Parker, his son Stephen J. Robinson, and grandson Blake J. Robinson. He is also survived by extended family in Ohio and South Africa and many friends in South Africa and across the States. Kenneth "Pappy" Robinson will be deeply missed. At the same time, we take great comfort in knowing he is in the tender hands of our Heavenly Father.

A graveside service officiated by the Rev. Rob Toornstra will be held on October 1 at 11am at the Silverton Cemetery (across from Wilco). Friends are welcome to attend. Arrangements are by Unger Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Sunnyslope Christian Reformed Church, 197 Hrubetz Road SE, Salem, OR 97302.