Frank B. Robinson 81
“Coach” Franklin B. Robinson died November 1, 2014 after a long illness. He is survived by Judith C. Robinson, his wife of nearly sixty-two years. He is also survived by his son Franklin B. Robinson II and his wife, Nancy of Brevard; Mark E. Robinson and his wife, Susan of Brevard; and Eric L. Robinson and his wife, Suzanne of Waco, Texas; six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is also survived by his brother, Bob Robinson, of Beckley, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Jay Robinson, and his sister Kethel Holley. Frank was born in the tiny coal town of Helen, West Virginia on February 3, 1933. Growing up, he excelled in sports, particularly football and baseball. Upon graduating from high school, and a brief stint in the coal mines, he entered the US Army and became part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon completing his service in the Army, Frank used the GI bill along with a football scholarship, to attend Appalachian State Teachers College (currently Appalachian State University), where he played football and earned his teaching degree, specializing in history and physical education.
Upon graduation, Frank went into banking, a career that eventually brought him to Brevard in 1964, where he and Judith became enamored with the town and made the decision to settle and raise their young family. In 1967, when the bank requested Frank to transfer, he left the profession and accepted a teaching position at Brevard High School. For the next 25 years, Frank found his true calling. In the classroom, he was a dedicated teacher with a passion for American History—particularly the periods covering the Civil War and both World Wars. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed most every book written about Abraham Lincoln. Frank was equally dedicated as a coach, where he is one of the few coaches in North Carolina to win a state championship in two sports (wrestling and football). Frank became the head wrestling coach in 1968 and over the next 8 years won 80% of his dual matches, which included a 41-match winning streak spread over 3 years, coached 5 individual state champions and won the 1973 state championship. Frank became the head football coach at Brevard High School in 1980 and for the next 13 years guided the Blue Devils to 105 victories, 6 conference championships, a Division II state championship in 1981, a Division I state championship in 1982, was the winning head coach of the NC-SC Shrine Bowl game in 1988 (breaking a 7 year SC winning streak), was named Western North Carolina head football coach of the year in 1981 and 1982, and the North Carolina head football coach of the year in 1982. Under his guidance, Frank coached many football players that received collegiate scholarships to schools including Western Carolina, Mars Hill College, Appalachian State, University of North Carolina, NC State, Clemson, University of Tennessee, University of South Carolina, and Notre Dame. He will be remembered by the athletes who played under him as a coach who, “worked your ‘ass’ off but treated you fairly.”
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Coach Frank Robinson will be held in the auditorium at Brevard High School at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to pay their respects make a donation to their favorite charity.
On line condolences may be left atwww.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com. Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.