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JEFFREY FORREST ROBINSON
04/13/1945 - 08/13/2022
Born of Audrey (McCoy) Cook on Friday the 13th of April, 1945. Son of David Robinson, stepson of Ray Cook, and eldest brother of Larry Cook and Linda (Cook) Corcoran. Jeff was raised in Piedmont, California where he attended Egbert W. Beach Elementary and was an active Boy Scout. He attended Piedmont High where he was a Rigma Lion and “lettered” in football and basketball, and in 1963, he graduated from Del Valle High School while enjoying the care and hospitality of longtime family friends, Bill and Harriett Webb in Walnut Creek.
From a long line of American soldiers, Jeff accepted the draft and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967 and captured an intimate photographic record of his time “In country.” He became a Sergeant of the 11th Armored Cavalry, 188th Maintenance Battalion at Blackhorse Base Camp at Xuan Loc. Upon returning stateside, Jeff resumed civilian life with a career in the automotive industry that culminated with his appointment as District Sales Manager for Dorman Auto Parts covering California and Nevada.
Jeff was an avid outdoorsman and sharpshooter who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and exploring the off-roads of California and Nevada in his customized 1962 Scout. As a descendent of the settler of Dutch Flat, California, Charles Dornbach, he enjoyed reading and studying various pioneering history books and records.
In 1973, Jeff married Deborah Dawson, also of Piedmont, California, and daughter of Cloyd O. Dawson and Marjorie V. (Jones) Dawson. In 1977 they moved into an old orchard farmhouse in Martinez, California, where they made their home. They enjoyed many family vacations at Feather River Park Resort in Graeagle, California, enjoying the river, golf, and exploring. Jeff and his sons often camped in and explored the Smoke Creek and Black Rock deserts of Nevada, a favorite haunt from his young adult life. He was a man of many interests and talents including photography, building model airplanes, and gardening. Jeff took great pride in his beautiful home and garden that he and Deborah cultivated together. He was renowned among his friends and family for his green thumb for growing a wide variety of very successful tomato plants. He also enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events, particularly high school football games.
In his later years, Jeff enjoyed his life as an esteemed resident of Benicia, California. He worked for Clearwater Supply and as the CEO for Clean Energy Technologies Inc. and V.e. LABS. He enjoyed tending to his tomato garden on McKay Way and serving as the webmaster to the Piedmont High alumni site phs63.com. He passed away in his home on Saturday, the 13th of August, 2022 in accordance with the way that he lived, on his own terms.
Jeffrey Forrest Robinson is survived by Deborah and their three children, Justin Forrest (Chrissy Smith), Austin Bridger (Haley (Schooley) Robinson), and Jessica Lee Robinson, and their grandchildren, Bailey Renee, Calliope Renn, Rhodri Bridger Courage, and Madoc Hatchet Forrest Robinson, and his sister Linda (Cook) Corcoran (Bill Corcoran), and nieces Stephanie (Corcoran) Ruggiero (John Ruggiero), and Reenie (Corcoran) Fischer (Brian Fischer).
  
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Leonard Kraft
See you on the trail good buddy, your friendship is missed. Rest in peace.
Colin Kelley (Kelley)
Jeff was a good guy. I really enjoyed talking with him, off and on, over the last fifteen years. May you rest in peace, good buddy.
Pamela Cook (Bovo)
So so sad..you were the guy who created this great website. You were the guy who kept in touch. This site has been my Réunion and I thank you. You and Denny both decide,d to leave this earth..I'm so glad Don and I were invited to Benicia.to have you host and show off your veggies garden. I will miss you, Jeff.
Sally Scudder (Mueller)
After having my heart break for Sue when Sandy passed, hearing Denny went on to the rainbow bridge... Oh wait. Maybe us humans are not that lucky to go to the rainbow bridge although lore has it that we do, the thought of Jeff having given so much for our country and our 1963 high school class and the personal friendship we shared, just hurts me to my core. Can't think of any other words to express my sorrow of this world without Sandy, Denny and Jeff... 💔
Michael White
Jeff and I became closer friends in the past 10 years. We were both Rigmas at Piedmont and both Vietnam vets. He had several really nice get togethers for friends at his home in Benica where close friends were invited and, I got a chance to see his talent for growing tomatoes He worked part time for my brother in law Manly Ormsby my sister Suzies husband. Jeff was there with the family when Suzie passed and supported us all during that time he was a kind and, thoughtful man. I was able to acquire the Rigma gavel with all the past presidents engraved on an attached silver plate. I remember Jeff was so excited about it and we worked together to frame it. He was the right person and understood the importance and history of it. Sometimes we would talk for hours reminiscing about Piedmont and laughed at each others stories. I will miss his calling me and me being able to call him anytime. I think when our buddy Denny died it hit jeff pretty hard although he would never of showed it. Rest in Peace Jeff you lived a full life and "did it your way" condolences to family, he is in my thoughts. Mike
Sally Trefethen (Whitehorn)
Oh, my, I'm so sorry to hear of Jeff's passing. He was the one who kept me 'in the loop', to connect with my classmates through photos of reunions, etc. I remember photos of Jeff, Denny, Jay Knowland, and others who gathered around Jeff to fish, laugh and drink beers together. It is nice to see that he continued connections with his PHS buddies. All of our friends are beginning to pass away. It is sad, but an expected part of our lives. My condolences go out to everyone who knew him, and particularly his family. This world was a better place with him in it! Best Regards, Sally (Sarah) Trefethen Whitehorn, Nova Scotia, Canada
Thomas Peters
It is that time in life when our friends are dropping out. I knew Denny from Cub Scouts but I didn't know Jeff well. I know we shared a love of fishing and were both Vietnam Vets. I have been very apreciative of his efforts with the PHS website. It does so much to keep us connected with out past and with our lives.I'm sorry to see him go. It makes us all more aware of our limited time on earth.
I will be thinking of Jeff and of all my classmates.
Tom Peters
Jon Gregory
I'm late in posting this. Just found out this morning that Jeff had passed. Was wondering why the emails from him stopped and why he did not respond to my emails anymore. So sorry to hear of his passing. Will miss our communication Jeff. Jon