Dr. Thomas Robinson

  Dr. Thomas J. Robinson, 82, Grand Forks, ND, died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Valley Memorial Home Transitional Care Unit. Tom was born May 7, 1935, in Volga City, IA, the son of Kenneth and Lera (Horton) Robinson. He was raised in Volga and graduated valedictorian from high school in 1952. He attended Luther College in Decorah, IA, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry and was a four year starter on Luther’s baseball team. Tom completed his Master’s Degree in 1958 from Iowa State University at Ames, IA, and then moved to Grand Forks to teach mathematics at UND. Tom was united in marriage to Sandra Erickson on August 28, 1959, in Fertile, MN. In 1960, they returned to Iowa State University where Tom was an instructor of Mathematics while earning his PhD. In 1963, the family moved back to Grand Forks where Tom was a Professor of Mathematics at UND until his retirement in 1997. He authored Analytical Trigonometry in 1967, Algebra and Trigonometry in 1970, and a second edition of Analytical Trigonometry in 1972. Tom played baseball for most of his life. He was a volunteer baseball coach at UND for approximately 20 years and closely followed UND sports. Over the years, Tom enjoyed fishing, running, and golfing. He sang with the barbershop chorus in Grand Forks for 27 years. Tom and his family were actively involved at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. In past years, Tom served on the Church Council, served as president of the congregation, sang in the church choir, and led the JOY group. Tom’s major focus was on stewardship. Survivors include his wife, Sandra, Grand Forks; sons, Timothy (Pamela) Robinson, Hutchinson, MN, and Paul (Jeffrey Longenecker) Robinson, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Todd and Lisa Robinson; sisters, Mary Cox, Waterloo, IA, and Peggy Koeneke, Manchester, IA; cousins, nieces and nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, June 2, 2017, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be one hour before the service in the church. Burial will be at Little Norway Lutheran Church cemetery near Fertile, MN.