Robinson, Robert E., Dr., 1923-2013

Nevada State legislator Dr. Robert E. Robinson was born September 8, 1923 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada as a teenager and graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1941. Robinson enlisted in the army at the age of 17 and served four years in the Aleutian Islands combat area during World War II. After exiting military service in 1945, Robinson met his wife Betty Ellis and attended the University of Southern California, later receiving his Bachelor's of Science and Doctorate in Optometry from the Los Angeles College of Optometry. The couple moved to Las Vegas in 1950, where Robinson practiced optometry. Robinson was elected to the Nevada Legislature as an assemblyman in 1972, and was reelected in 1974, 1976, 1978, and 1980. Robinson was a booster for business interests in Nevada, and served on the following state assembly committees: Commerce, Ways and Means, Government Affairs, Agriculture, Labor and Management, and Health and Welfare.

In 1982, Robinson was elected to the Nevada State Senate, for one term. Robinson was an active member and leader in many organizations including the Southern Nevada Optometric Association, the Nevada State Board of Examiners for Optometry (1956-1964), the Las Vegas Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Robinson was also involved in civic work affiliated with the following groups: the Las Vegas Elks Lodge, the Las Vegas Urban Renewal Commission (1962-1972), the Boys Club of Clark County, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Rotary Club of Las Vegas. He retired from politics in 1986 and served as the director of the Nevada State Bank for twenty years. He died on July 31, 2013.

Sources:

"Obituary: Dr. Robert E Robinson." Dignity Memorial. Accessed June 22, 2018. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/robert-robinson-5622259.