Jerry Robins' Obituary
Today we lost our Leader of the Band. In our capacity as his children, including his daughters by marriage, we wrote this together so that our community of family and friends could share in a beautiful spiritual passing despite our collective pain.
From the beginning until the very end, Dad did it his way. One day during this past week, we were all sitting together in the playroom of our childhood home, when spontaneously someone turned on Dad's favorite play list. Not coincidentally, the first song we all heard while seated along with him in the room was Frank Sinatra's I DID IT MY WAY.
With our Mom, Joan Robins, at his side, Dad brilliantly fought a 23 year battle, overcame the odds, and continued to enrich all of our lives including those of our children: Zoe, Josh, GG, Jared, Harrison, Sam, Benjamin, Marlon, Katie, Taj and Jai.
Despite his passing, Dad is still with us. We are united and committed to continue on his path and will represent the legacy of the life of giving that he and our mom created. His presence will continue on the planet even as his soul transitions into the next world. Our souls are now his soul and we are grateful for all that he taught and gave us.
As children, Dad guided us to learn and follow Lao Tzu's Taoist philosophy both by having us read the writings and also by quietly observing Dad's actions. We remember at very young ages reading Lao Tzu's wisdom that explained a true leader: When the work is done, the job complete, they will feel they did it themselves.
Dad had this inimitable capacity to give us all the tools and simultaneously stay in the background. He never needed credit or praise from us or the public. He simply made it happen and we all, while following his wisdom, still felt we did it ourselves.
During these last days together, he was totally present and shared all of his feelings with each of us. We got to share ours with him. He was able to speak to most of his friends either by phone or in person saying goodbye, sharing love and leaving a clean slate in preparation for his transition.
As a family, everyone mentioned herein along with many friends came together and all contributed to a positive loving process which profoundly helped him, Mom and each of us. Mom remained strong, courageous and loving throughout as Dad made sure that no stone was left unturned to assure that we would all be able to carry forward with that which he gave. He also was able to clearly see that we accepted and supported this reality. Only then could he peacefully move on.
For us, nothing has ever been so painful and yet at the same time bonding, uplifting and spiritual. We will all love and miss him.
Craig, Scott, Gina, Stacy, Debbie and Jackie
In lieu of gifts a donation can be made to the Gerald Robins Fund at one of the following charities:
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
305 243-9088
Diabetes Research Institute
954-964-4040
Miami Jewish Federation
305 576-4000
Services will be held 4pm Thursday 10/6/22 at Temple Beth Shalom
4144 Chase Ave, Miami Beach
Arrangements by Levitt Weinstein Blasberg Rubin Zilbert (305) 932-2700.
What’s your fondest memory of Jerry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jerry?
Share a story where Jerry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jerry you’ll never forget.
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