Lt. Col. James O. Robinson, (USAF Ret.)

KEYSER, W.Va. - Lt. Col. James O. Robinson, (USAF Ret.), 78, of 120 Southern Drive, Keyser, died on Friday, July 24, 2009 at Heartland of Keyser.

Born June 17, 1931, in Keyser, he was a son of the late Alvin K. "Link" and Mildred Alberta (Moyer) Robinson.

Lt. Col. Robinson was a graduate of Keyser High School Class of 1949, Potomac State College Class of 1951 and Shepherd College, Shepherdstown in 1953. He obtained a master of political science degree in 1971 at Auburn Univ. in Auburn, Ala. Graduated from US AF Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala in 1971. Lt. Col. Robinson served in the U.S. Air Force until 1976, and retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1989. Jim worked with a survey crew for WV State Roads Commission in 1951, then became an inspector for Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, MD from 1951-53 and as an Aero Weights Engineer from 1953-54. He became an aviation cadet in U.S. AF Training program in Lackland AFB, Texas, Malden, AB, Mo and Vance AFB, Okla. from 1954-55. He was awarded pilot wings and commissioned second lieutenant June 1, 1955. As a pilot, he was aircraft commander of Conviar C-131 from 1955-58. A flight test engineer on aircraft/missile programs, Mr. Robinson was also corporate sales manger, flight test and demonstration pilot on an F27; an air technician, instructor pilot/flight examiner for the 167th Air Transport Group of the WV National Guard, Martinsburg from 1963-64 and also flew world-wide passenger and cargo mission for the Military Airlift Command.

He became an engineering and manufacturing coordinator for Northwest Region, FAA in Seatle, Wash. from 1971-73. He acted as a liaison between FAA, the Boeing Co., the FAA Western Region and related operations and maintenance personnel. An Assistant Chief for Aircraft Programs Division at FAA Headquarters in D.C. during 1973-76, he became chief of Aircraft Engineering and Manufacturing Division in 1977 and retired in 1989 from FAA Central Region in Kansas City, Mo.

He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church where he served on Board of Trustees, leader of the Stewardship Committee and substitute SS Teacher. He was former president and founding member of the Potomac Highland Chapter of the Nat'l Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees. Jim was also a member of Keyser Lion's Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn., Experimental Aircraft Assn., Quiet Birdman and Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, where he was active in restoration of old Chevrolets; Mineral County Historical Society, former member of Keyser City Council and Upper Potomac Vintage Car Club. He had been bestowed the following honors: Chevalier Degree, Order of DeMolay; charter member, Senior Executive Service of the U.S.; FAA Distinguished Career Service Award; numerous military flying safety awards and Keyser High School 1998 Legion of Honor. He was a licensed pilot and holder of Airline Transport Pilot ratings, with 8,000+ flight hours in over 80 different airplanes.

Surviving are wife Barbara J. "Bobbie" Robinson; two sons James Scott Robinson and wife Mary Ann of Annapolis, Md and Steven Gregg Robinson and wife Colette of Vienna, Va.; a daughter Nancy Lynn Jensen and husband Chip of Argyle, Texas; and two sisters Linda S. Robinson of Kentucky and Celene Trickett of Oakland, Md. He is also survived by four grandchildren: William James Robinson, Glenn Thomas Robinson, Stacy Lynn Jensen and David Charles Jensen.

Friends will be received at the Markwood Funeral Home, Keyser on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be conducted at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 233 S. Mineral Street, Keyser, on Thursday, July 30, 2009, at 11 a.m. with the Reverend William A. Linhart officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to services.

Interment will follow in Queen's Point Cemetery, Keyser, where full military honors will be accorded.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Calvary United Methodist Church,

P.O. Box 297, Keyser, WV 26726 or Mineral County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1325, Keyser, WV 26726.

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