"So kind. Such a good teacher. We would all be better if we follow his example. Noone mentioned that he was blessed with extraordinary good looks. He was a well dressed gentleman. We missed him at our Master Gardener meetings. Miss him him even more now. "
In loving memory of
Charles Thomas Robinson
November 22, 1926 - August 7, 2020
Charles "Tough" Robinson was born to Charles T. and Bessie M. Robinson on November 22, 1926 in San Diego, California. After graduating from San Diego High School in 1945, Charles served in the United States Army. In 1947, on his 21st birthday, he married Edna B. Terry. This day marked the beginning of a 72 year union.
Charles and Edna raised two beautiful daughters named Lori and Leah. In February of 1999, Leah blessed the family with the only grandchild, named Ahmad. Ahmad, in turn, blessed his grandparents with an adorable great-granddaughter, named Ahmaya. Ahmad and Ahmaya brought joy and added sunshine to the Robinson Garden. The vaunted Robinson garden of South East San Diego was cultivated by Charles after retiring from his 30 year career with the City of San Diego Fire Department as a Captain Deputy Fire Marshal in 1980.
Charles was a fearless disciple of God and an unconditional contributor to his community. He had a devout spirituality and unwavering faith as a member of the San Diego 31st Street Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He was baptized confidently in May of 1963 by Pastor E.C. Ward and Associate Pastor David Taylor. This confidence he exuded when challenged with maintaining reverence to God's Holy Sabbath, sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday. As he was required to work on the Sabbath, Charles contemplated quitting the fire department. However, through great devotion, prayer, and communion with Edna and Pastor Ward, Charles went before the fire chief and city officials testifying to his honor of God and upholding the law of the fourth commandment through the keeping of God's Holy Sabbath. The fire department had never granted such a request until Charles made his with God by his side and in his heart. Although Charles served the City of San Diego for thirty faithful years, with a fire department he helped to integrate, his primary calling was giving and surrendering his life to God.
Charles found beauty, divinity, and solace in plants, which became his greatest passion and past time. He held a wealth of knowledge and new every botanical name for plants. He was the first African American accepted into, and to graduate from, the Master Gardener program at the University of California Agricultural Division of San Diego, California. His God given gift of a green thumb could be seen in his work as San Diego County's largest sweet potato grower. His expertise on Stagehorn Ferns made him the top, sought after, lecturer and demonstrator on ferns in the country. He conducted demonstrations from the Del Mar County Fairgrounds, to his personal garden at his home and beyond. As one of three original Master Gardeners, Charles's contributions to San Diego's gardening and growers' societies is vast. He held memberships in, and worked with the California Fern Society, California Rare Fruit Growers, the Master Gardeners, and the People Product Project. His two acre Robinson Garden, and his passion were selected and written about in Carol Olwell's book, Gardening from the Heart. Fine Gardening Magazine featured him in the article, "Harvesting Pleasure," and San Diego Home and Garden wrote about him in an article entitled, "The Expert and His Eden."
The pride and care he placed into his garden was on full display. Many children in and around the community toured Robinson Garden. The tours began with Mrs. Smalls' and Mrs. Stephens' classes from San Diego Academy. The elementary students took a walking tour, received a seed to plant, and drank punch and ate cookies served by Charles' wife, Edna. Leah, too, began bringing the students from her classes to also tour the garden. The patience and kindness Charles took with plants could be seen in his generosity and time that he took with children. He would greet each one with his famous handshake that rapidly vibrated throughout the entire body and tickled the funny bone. He was sure to give each child individual attention that would elevate their feelings of self-importance and self-worth.
Caring for the community's children extended beyond the leaves of his garden. He volunteered on field trips with Keiler Middle School, Sojourner Truth Academy, and San Diego Academy. Charles also gave of his time to tutor at the Health & Learning Center, tutoring Spanish speakers in English at 31st Street Church, and tutoring young readers at Knox Elementary School.
As a family man he was our gentle, quiet, and strong leader. You could find him sitting in his favorite spot on the couch at family get-togethers, watching sports or reading. Rows of his fresh baked sweet potato pies and cookies lined the counter top and table during these family times. With a look, smile, or nod of his head, you knew he was happy to see you and you were welcome.
The San Diego community is mourning one of the last great African American native pioneers. Lessons from a great man and citizen, learned from biblical teachings and gardening, will be greatly missed.
On August 7, 2020, Charles T. Robinson entered into eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his daughter Lori. Left to cherish his legacy are: his wife of 72 years, Edna Robinson, daughter Leah Robinson great-granddaughter Ahmaya Robinson, sister Corinne T. Johnson, brother-in law Allen Terry, nieces: Denise Holly and DeVon Howard; nephews: Orlando and Lourent Coons; and a host of relatives, friends, loved ones, and admirers.
Neguse Negest
Tributes
" Sister Robinson and Leah, we send our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father. He touched the lives of so many. He was gentle, kind, knowledgeable, great with kids and youth alike. I have so many memories of times spent as a guest in the Robinson home, his absolutely delicious cookies, meals and hospitality. Time spent in his garden was always the best! He exuded the qualities of a man who loved God, family and church. He will truly be missed!"
"Papa Charles Robinson was a unique father, husband, and a man of God. I was blessed to have known him for 35 years. He loved God, Mom Robinson, his two daughters, and me. He was a role model, educator, mentor, friend, and knew the meaning of love. I will remember everything you taught me. Rest papa and I will see you again. Wilma Lovelace, daughter #3"
"My elder and friend, we shared the love of gardening, lawn care, and Pathfinders. Elder Robinson was my ?master? go to for SO many things. He?s resting now and can?t wait to meet again in the earth made new. "
"Our prayers are with you at this time. Br. Robinson was a wonderful person to know Dorothy and Janet Corley"
"Edna/Sister Robinson and Leah. We send our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father. He touched our lives in so many ways. Mentoring our husband/father when he was a fireman, teaching us about his lovely garden, and just being a friend. He will be sorely missed. Our continued prayers for your healing. Sincerely, Jean Myers, Karen Myers Billett and Kirsten Myers "
"Dear Edna and Leah, what can I say about Bro. Robinson? There are too many and not enough. He was a man who never said \"no\" to me when I needed him to help me with Community Services, the choir, the Easter program etc etc. One thing I do know however, that we\'ll all meet him at the Welcome Table and have a beautiful reunion with him in the earth made new. Be encouraged - Elaine Campbell"
"Brother Robinson (as I called him Pops) was a second father to me. Lori, his eldest daughter used to babysit my daughter, Rolanda. I spent countless hours following him around the garden as he gave me advice. He played the name game with my daughter and granddaughter, Jazmin. He loved children. He and Auntie Edna were always in our corner. He drove from San Diego to LA for my graduation for my first Master\'s degree in 2002. We always kept in touch over the phone, although he would rather talk in person. He will be remembered most for his faithfulness to the Father\'s kingdom, because of so many years serving as Elder at 31st SDA church and mowing the lawn, like he took care of his own yard. He will be so sorely missed. R.I.P."
"I have lots of fun memories of Brother Robinson I enjoy spending time with him in the garden. I would call speak to Sis Robinson, she would say he?s in the garden. come before his nap time. Brother Robinson is the reason ,I wake up and go outside and water my plants. My garden was started from piece he cut and said ?just put it back in the dirt. There was time I would stop by and he would be baking cookies. I have many memories of our time. He will be missed "
"Such a Holy man of God. Soft spoken and so knowledgeable. Married to one wife and the kindest human soul in San Diego. He was personally like a father figure to me as I did not grow up with my father in the home. He opened up a sliver of light and hope for any man of color who dreamed to take on a career, profession and calling in a station of life \"closed off\" to black men when he worked for the fire department. I remember how he loved his garden and from the top of his head, gray hair and all, could give you a greater botanical lesson on trees, flowers and plants as if national geographic was his former employer. I pray that the lord will come real soon so that we can get rid of the internet and the sad news network to be replaced by \"no more seas\" and \"Death swallowed up in victory\". Thank you God and Sis Robinson for such a gift to the 31st SDA church and to the life of Colin Ross. "
"An amazing story teller ; ever so kind. You Mastered the discipline of Father , Teacher , Disciple . You?ve stained my mind with how to grow not just as an individual but how to cultivate the land. Because of your mastery you?ve caused a lot of us to stand , strong , imaginative, determined . You will ever be loved . You will ever be missed. Forever in our souls on how we work with children , garden or just anything formed by our intellect. You commanded unmatched respect . You are ever present in the works of our palms ; bearing fruit In due season, planted by the river of life . To me you were a grandfather figure . For me you will always be . "
"As a young child, seeing him every Sabbath was a moment I always....ALWAYS looked forward to. He truly represented a man of God; gentle, present and consistently loving to me and all of the other youth that came up around the same time as me. His friendly smile from a distant pew and his firm hugs that always felt like family and his goofy jello handshakes he\'d always greet me with were all memorable moments that I will always remember. My only regret here is that I didn\'t thank him for how greatly he positively influenced not only my adulthood, but how I would be a man in the world today. What a sweet man he was. I will never forget him. REST IN POWER my friend."