Frederick J. Robbins

Frederick James Robbins, age 89 passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday August 8, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Emma Beidler (Hooton) Robbins. Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on January 13, 1924, he was the son of the late Leo V. Robbins and Hilda Just Robbins.

In 1932, his family moved to Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, where he attended the public schools and graduated from Foxcroft Academy. He spent one year as an undergraduate at Boston University before joining the U.S. Navy in 1943. He continued his undergraduate work at Dartmouth College while enrolled in a Navy pre-officers training program. He served as an Ensign aboard an Attack Transport in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

Fred graduated from Dartmouth with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and then attended Harvard law School where he met his loving wife Emma who was working at the Harvard Coop. Upon graduation from law school in 1949 he joined the law firm of Goodwin Procter & Hoar where he was a partner until his retirement in 1988.

As a nationally recognized specialist in the area of pension & profit sharing plans, Fred co-chaired a special committee of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association charged with the task of drafting the provisions of the legislation that led to the enactment of the landmark ERISA law in 1974. His most satisfying accomplishment was his work in helping to establish the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. Fred also served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the firm from 1977-1984, and will be remembered for his vision, integrity and humor.

Following his retirement, Fred became actively involved with Emerson Hospital as a member of the Board of Directors, and served as Chairman from 1994 to 1997. A long-time resident of Concord, where he raised his family, Fred has served as Chairman of the Board of Appeals, and was a member of the Board of Selectmen from 1961 to 1964.

Fred loved spending time with his family at home and on vacation travels, including annual summer visits with his family and relatives to the family camp on Sebec Lake in his hometown of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. He enjoyed all outdoor activities, especially golf and tennis which he played into his 80s. Travel was a passion of his, and he was most fond of exploring the countryside of England on walking tours with Wayfarers or on his own. Fred thoroughly enjoyed his life and all of the people who were part of it.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Fred, who was known as Grampy to his granddaughter Ginny, loved his family very much. He is survived by his wife, Emma, his children Mary Robbins, John Robbins and daughter-in-law Donna Robbins of Concord, granddaughter Virginia Robbins of Chicago, Illinois, his sister Julia Shambach of Lockport, New York, and several cherished nephews and a niece. He was also the brother of the late Justine McKusick.

A private family service was held in the Concord Funeral Home following with interment in the family burial plot in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

A public memorial service will be Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 10:00a.m. in First Parish, Concord.


GIFTS IN HIS NAME MAY ME MADE TO:
Emerson Health Care Foundation, Inc.,
133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner
Concord, MA 01742.

Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CFSP, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME

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