Richard David Robinson

Richard D. Robinson, 85, of Columbia, MO went home to be with his Lord on October 5, 2025.

Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Grace Bible Church, 601 Blue Ridge Rd., Columbia, MO.

Dr. Robinson was born March 17, 1940, in Elgin, Illinois, to the late Frank and Grace (Schmidt) Robinson. On September 6, 1969, he married Alice Sheley in Sycamore, Illinois.

Richard Robinson graduated with his Bachelors and Master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University and went on to obtain his PhD in Literacy from the University of Georgia in Athens. He taught in the College of Education at the University of Missouri, Columbia for 43 years, during much of that serving as the secretary and keeper of records for the National Reading Conference, as well as authoring numerous papers, articles and books on the instruction of reading and literacy.

Richard, a life-long Cubs fan, was an active member of Grace Bible Church, the Columbia Model Railroaders Association, and enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, children and grandchildren. Richard was an avid reader, model railroader and stamp collecting. Richard and his wife spent many years endeavoring to visit each state capital and traveled across the globe to view Vermeer paintings, having many grand adventures along the way.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Grace (Schmidt) Robinson and his sister Bonnie Robinson. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Alice; two sons, Andrew Robinson and Philip (Brooke) Robinson; two grandchildren, Bailey and Alexis.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Grace Bible Church Scholarship Fund, 601 Blue Ridge Rd., Columbia, MO 65202 or City of Refuge, 10 N. Garth Ave., Columbia, MO 65203.

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