Paul Harvey Robinson
1930 – 2023
Paul Harvey Robinson, age 92, died peacefully in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Lawrence Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (formerly St. Joseph’s at Morris Hall)
Born October 20, 1930 in New York City, he was a longtime resident of the Lawrenceville area.
Paul received a B.S. from New York University, and an M.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both in Physical Chemistry.
He worked at MIT’s Lincoln Labs and Raytheon for a decade, then moved to New Jersey and worked at RCA Research Laboratories (later the David Sarnoff Research Center) for nearly 30 years.
He is an author of 11 U.S. patents and over 35 research publications, and received 3 RCA Labs Achievement Awards, and 3 NASA Certificates of Recognition. Early in his scientific career, he made major advancements in the development of transistors; later, he focused on developing photovoltaic cells – solar energy.
Paul was well-known for his humor, his skill at cards, especially poker and bridge, his love of his family, and his passion for sports, especially baseball and football. Growing up he rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers and later the New York Mets, and for the New York Giants.
From 1966-1972, Paul was a Trustee and member of the Housing Board of Lawrence Non-Profit Housing, and helped secure approval and funding for what became Eggerts Crossing Village and a neighborhood center that has transformed the community.
In 2019 Paul moved to the skilled nursing unit of Morris Hall. The family is grateful to the staff of Morris Hall for their kindness, warmth, support, and the outstanding care they provided during his final years.
Paul is survived by his daughter Julie Renee Robinson-Friedland, son Clifford Ralph Robinson, daughter-in-law Anne Skaja Robinson, granddaughters Kat & Brenna Robinson, brother-in-law Alan Bekelman, sister-in-law Marcia Cohen niece L. Pat Robinson, nephews Ralph & Steven Robinson and David & Justin Bekelman, numerous cousins, and a large and loving extended family. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary Robinson, his wife of over 60 years Toby Elaine Robinson, his brothers, Kenneth and Ralph Robinson, his sister-in-law Esther Robinson, and his son-in-law, Eugene Friedland.
Funeral services and burial are Sunday, April 30 at 11:00 AM at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, 545 Eggert Crossing Road, Ewing, NJ.
Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to Every Child Valued (https://www.everychildvalued.org/ecv/) or to Adath Israel Congregation (https://aicnj.shulcloud.com/donations1)
Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. OrlandsMemorialChapel.com
Julie and Cliff-so very sorry on the passing of your Dad. May his memory be for a blessing. The Weinberg’s
Julie Cliff Anne Brenna and Kat, I know we will all miss him. I will remember the coin tricks he played for Mike and Dana . He was always smiling when with them. He brought great honor, humor and care to all of us.
Julie and Clifford, we are so sorry on the passing ofyour dad. He was a kind and gentle man.He will be missed. Our sympathy to you and your family. Sandra& Hal Dolan
Julie and Cliff, We grew up in the warmth of each others’parents, caring family friends through generations. (Our grandparents were friends too. There were always cards for Bridge.) Together we learned the value of family and community. Even as time and geography eventually pulled us apart, our parents – without social media – stayed close. I will always treasure the warm memories that we share. Your father and mine were both accomplished in science but it is family that they held most dear. Your Dad will be missed but his memory should always bring you comfort, joy, and a reminder of the important things in this world. Love, Ann-Sheryl
Julie and Cliff,
I don’t know most of you, including your father, but the obit connected me with names of relatives from my past: Mary Robinson, my grandmother’s sister; Kenneth Robinson, my father’s first cousin: and Esther Robinson, Kenney’s wife from Cuba. I have many fond memories of Kenney visiting us in Cincinnati.
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
With love and sympathy,
Marilyn Eisenberg Pugh