Raised during the upheaval of World War II and the Korean Conflict, Robby attempted to enlist in the United States Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) program at age 17. The Navy recruiter could not guarantee admission into the program so in 1952 he opted to go the direction of his older brother and enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) for aircrew bomber training.

While attending B-29 Electronic Turret Systems Gunnery School at Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado, Sgt Robinson’s background records were scanned by Headquarters USAF Special Project personnel officials and he soon found himself as a “volunteer” on his way to Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington, destined to become a member of the USAF's Elite Strategic Air Command (SAC) Combative Armed and Unarmed Cadre of Escape and Evasion Instructors.

Departing the United States in December 1955 by troop ship (USS General A. E. “Andy” Anderson) for his first Far East Asia overseas tour, upon arriving in the seaport of Yokohama Bay, Sgt Robinson was initially assigned to the USAF Chitose AFB on the island of Hokkaido and upon arrival was immediately relocated to the US Army's former First Cavalry Garrison at Camp Crawford, Sapporo, Japan, as the overall Director of Special Services.

Photos include: Brother Norman, SSGT, USAF in Tokyo, Japan.   :  Robinson - 1952 – Basic training recruit Sampson AFB, NY. 1952.  :  Graduation Sampson AFB, NY.  :  MSGT 1974 - Takhli Royal Air Force Base, Thailand.  :  Strategic Air Command Insignia.  :  BSAC CG, General Curtis E. LeMay, Yudansha Taigu Black Belt recipient, Kodokan Judo Institute.  :  USS General A. E. Anderson AP111 (TAP-111) - took this troop ship from San Fransisco to Hawaii on first overseas assignment to Japan in 1955.

Photos included: Camp Crawford buildings -  511st Abn Signal Co Headquarters, Field House, Chapel, Mess Hall, Troop Barracks, Orderly Supply Room, Post Library, Theater, Red Cross Service Club, Enlisted Men's Club in Sapporo, Christain Church on Main Street, Sapporo.

OFF DUTY ...

Photos included: Fairchild AFB Spokane Washington: Hunting & fishing. Robby has great story about a rock, deer and a Game and Wildlife Officer!  :  Okinawa, Japan: Playing 1964 Gibson guitar before raffling them off at a VFW convention to raise funds for a civic action electric power installation project in Ban Wang Kan village, central Thailand.  :   Green Park, Tokyo, Japan: First home run of the season – Robby played left field and pitched for the resident team in the local baseball league. 1958 - Staying in shape on top of the former Mitsubishi aircraft engine factory converted into a military housing annex.  :  Camp Crawford, Sapporo, Japan: (Former 1^st Cavalry Garrison) 1956 - Housing for support troops were WWII quanset huts.  :  USA: USAF General Clarence “Curly” Edwinson, WWII P-38 fighter pilot extraordinaire.  :  Gen “Ed” and TSGT Robinson, General’s Aide, on a fishing trip to Matagorda Bombing Range, Texas before Hurricane Carla. 

LIFESAVING ...

Photos include:  1971 Prof. Robinson was commended by MGEN Gordon Graham, Commanding General, 5th Air Force, with the Air Force Commendation Medal, for saving two Japanese youth from drowning in.

1969-1970:  Hakata Tri-service Security Annex, Japan, NCO of Recreational Services, United States Air Force

On the evening of April 7, 1970 the weather was extremely windy with intermittent rain and lightning strikes across the Hakata Bay, Fukuoka, Japan.

After work, Sgt Robinson drove along the road parallel to the sea wall where he noticed a crowd standing along the edge peering out into the dark Bay of Hakata. He was informed that a small boat had submerged and there was “someone” holding on to the seaweed netting. Someone yelled out that there was a child in the boat.

Sgt Robinson raced back to the Hakata Tri-service Security Annex’s marina. After breaking the lock off of the boat storage shed, he grabbed a 7’ Yamaha row boat, two life jackets (figuring there was only one person in the boat), and two oars. Although Sgt Robinson had suffered from a broken neck during simulated combat training, he threw the boat onto his car along with the other rescue supplies. He then raced back to the sea wall. People were still standing there - doing nothing! When he returned, someone stated that they thought it was possible that more than one person was on the sinking boat! 

Sgt Robinson grabbed the boat and pulled it from his car and dragged it to the ramp that was covered with all sorts of unidentified trash and barnacles.  To prevent from sinking, he removed his boots and continued to push and pull the boat closer to the murky water. The salt water burned his feet from the multiple cuts he received. The wind was picking up and it was getting darker. It was a battle to get the boat out to the nets which were located several hundred yards off shore.

He finally made it close enough to see two small boys struggling to hold on to the thin netting. Worried that they would lose their grips or get their hands cut therefore losing blood and drawing sharks to the scene, Sgt Robinson grabbed each by the back of their shirts and literally plucked them out of the murky waters to safety. He secured a lifejacket to the smallest child and then removed his lifejacket to ensure the safety of the other child. After nearly capsizing several times, he and the children made it back to safety.

Although the Itazuke Base Commander, Colonel Brown, informed Sgt Robinson that he wanted to recommend him for the Airman’s Medal due to his act heroismit was later downgraded to the Air Force Commendation Medal due to the lack of time needed for the award to be signed by the SECAF in lieu of the 5^th AF Commanding General LTG Gordon Graham’s unscheduled visit to the area. 

MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTORS ...

Photos included: SAC Japanese Martial Arts Instructors - 1952.  :  Takahiko Ishikawa, 9^th Dan Kodokan Judo.  :  Dr. Jigoro Kano, 1^st row center.  :  Professor S. Kotani, 10^th Dan, Kodokan Judo.  :  Kodokan Judo Institute, Tokyo, Japan - Before 1958 (First training center for SAC aircrew and air police combative measures instructors.) 1960-1962; after 1958 - 1986;  Present .  :  Robby’s Kodokan 1^st Degree Black Belt Certification after examination by Y. Kanemoto, 9^th Dan, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 1956. 

As the earlier USAF military martial arts programs of the 50s and 60s gained popularity, their existing Armed Forces Judo Association (AFJA) Yudanshakai expanded bringing in other sister services such as the United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Navy (USN) and United States Army (USA). Colleagues including USAF Major Phil Porter; West Point Military Academy Graduate, the late USAF TSGT Rick Mertens, Olympians USAF MSGT George Harris, USAF LTC Paul Maruyama; USAF Academy Graduate, Dr. Jim Bregman, Benjamin “Nighthorse” Campbell, former United States Senator from Colorado, and others, including outstanding grassroots Sensei such as the late USA Sergeant Jerry Dalien, Rokudan, Tacoma, Washington, Ted Highers, Yondan, Fort Walton Beach and former USAF SSGT Jeffrey Beish, Shichidan, Lake Placid, Florida; internationally acclaimed Planet Mars Interplanetary Scientist, to name just a few, would eventually take on several major roles as distinguished competitors, coaches and administrators becoming a strong motivating force and a highly successful part of the history of the growth of Kodokan Judo in the United States and overall martial arts movement in general.   

Prof. Robinson trained under the tutor ledge of the late Sensei Emilio “Mel” Bruno, GS-15, Superintendent for USAF Aircrew and Air Police Combative Training and Physical Conditioning, Headquarters, SAC, Omaha, Nebraska, and a former student of Shihan Jigoro Kano; founder of the Kodokan International Judo Institute, Japan. Thus began a lifetime friendship with the person most responsible for the introduction and popularization of Kodokan Judo (and martial arts in general) in the United States Military Armed Forces and eventually on the United States National level. During 1953 at Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA, I trained with a team of the highest ranked Japanese martial arts masters ever to visit the United States. This prestigious grouping of Judo, Karate, Aikijutsu, Taiho Jitsu and Goshinjitsu ambassadors included Takahiko Ishikawa, Kenji Tomiki, Tadao Otaki, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Isao Obata, Toshio Kamada and Sumiyuki Kotani; up until recently, the last of the great Kodokan 10 th Degree Black Belts (Judan). This unique experience served to whet my appetite for more knowledge and training, and thus began a serious self-study of the Japanese language, culture and customs.   

CLUB PHOTOS ...

Since 1952, Professor Robinson has developed over 25 national and international martial arts clubs.     

1950-1960:  

Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington 1953 - Combative Measures Escape and Evasion instructors practice.  Robby double throwing Sgt’s L. Robson and M. De Francisco.  :  Robby throwing 15^th Air Force Champion Robson, Bakersfield, California.  :   The Green Park youth judo class in 1958.  Photo by S. Nakabayashi, 8^th Dan, Kodokan Judo.   :   

The first tournament at Offutt AFB, Omaha began the amazing growth of Judo in the overall US armed services and quickly spread through the US. Notably, the majority of Judo's developmental milestones occurred prior to the intense media exposure, popularization and expansion of martial arts thanks to the successful Chinese super star Bruce Lee's television series, the Green Hornet, the movie and sequel to “Billy Jack” and in present times, former USAF A2C Chuck Norris of “Walker, Texas Ranger” fame. Far from being last at the bottom of the pack is former U.S. National Judo Champion and former member of the U.S. Coast Grandmaster Gene Lebell.  Gene and Robby remain in contact to this day. It was here that he began his formal Kodokan training with his Sensei and mentor Yasumasa Kanemoto, Kudan, a direct student of Jigoro Kano and a superb mat technician. In 1956, Prof. Robinson was awarded Kodokan Shodan in Judo while training alternately with Japanese Military Self-Defense Forces in Kendo and Shorinji Kenpo. Relocating to Tokyo in 1957, he studied Shotokan Karate under Hidetaka Nishiyama at Fuchu Air Station and Kodokan Judo at Minami Koen (Green Park Annex) with Kodokan's Sensei the late Sadaki Nakabayashi, Hachidan.

1960-1970: 1970 Tri-Services Security Air Base, Hakata Annex, Fukuoka, Japan – Combined military and local Judo Clubs  monthly friendship workouts.  :  1964 - Camp Drake, Tokyo Japan. SAC Class training at Self-Defense Force Training Facility. Professor Kotani is behind class to extreme right. Mel Bruno is 3rd from the left. Robinson, the SAC Kodokan Training Course Senior NCO is seated at the extreme left.  Majority of students are SAC Air Policemen.L2R:  Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE 1967. Tough on Kodokan standards to a fault. Transferred from Bergstrom AFB, Texas to rejuvenate the SAC HQs Judo program.  :  Assistant coach John Miley was an outstanding factor in the redevelopment of the Offutt Judo Club that is now under the superb tutelage of Coach Judy Williams.   

1970-1989:

Hawaii: 1977 - University of Hawaii’s martial art’s room. :  Instructing basic Judo credit course.  :  Hired by the US Navy as the Barbers Point Military Services Officer in 1981, Robby immediately implemented a highly successful Judo program for military personnel and family members.  :  Demonstration at the new dojo.  :  Barbers Point first Judo promotion recipients. Judo classes at the University of Hawaii became one of the most popular classes on campus.  :  Seeking good luck, Robby visits the Valley of the Buddhist Temple.  :  Serving from 1981 - 1984, as the United States Navy Military Services Officer, UA-12, Barbers Point Hawaii. Prof. Robinson returned to the mainland United States in 1985 relocating to Pensacola, Florida.

Florida: Coordinating with the Headquarters Command Master Chief Petty Officer “Butch” Wallace, he at once set out to develop the sport of Judo for United States active duty and retired military personnel and family members stationed and /or residing in the area.  :  Returning to Corry Station from the 1989 International Pacific Northwest Judo Championships with 1^st Place Gold in the Senior Master's Cardio - Pace Maker  Division.  :  Standing next to Robby is Bernie Dalien, son of the late and great Director of the Annual Pacific Northwest International Judo Championships Sensei Jerry Dalien, Tacoma, Washington, another Senior Cardio - Pace Maker division winner. In 1985 Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida became the home of the Armed Services Judo “King Cobras” Club.  :  Quarterly invitational tournaments hosted by the US Navy at Corry featured traditional color guard, Chaplain services and incredible command support. Corry’s students developed a high degree of concentration and determination.  :  Olympian, former USAF MSGT George Harris during a visit to Corry Station : A sport for women and men alike.  :  Medal winners came from clubs throughout the Emerald Coast including Eglin AFB’s Eagles led by coach and former champion Ted Highers.

1990-2009:

AWARDS, CERTIFICATES & DIPLOMAS ...

Photos include:  Martial Arts: Kodokan Foreign Section Certificate of Yudansha Rank. During 1964, while attending a USAF advanced senior instructors martial arts training course at the Kodokan Judo Institute, Tokyo, Japan, the Foreign Division's Senior Sensei Sumiyuki Kotani, promoted me to Nidan. Mr. Risei Kano, son of the originator of Judo, Jigoro Kano, formerly presented me a promotion certificate in a ceremony at the former Kodokan Judo Institute. Prof. Robinson, a student of Kodokan Kata under Kotani Sensei, was Kotani’s uke during the late Judo Masters’ tour of the mid west. In 1966 after extensive training in advanced techniques, Kotani Sensei promoted him to Sandan.

In view of his extraordinary success with developing martial arts programs for military youth and his background with ongoing international civic action programs, Prof. Robinson was recognized by the Gannett Foundation and the Pensacola Florida News Journal, with the auspicious "1988 Humanitarian Heart of Gold” nomination.  :  Telegram from the late Pensacola Mayor Vince Whibbs.  :  Proclamation from the City of Pensacola commending the benefits of Judo. 

Military:  1986 United States Air Force Reserve Honorable Discharge – 1976.  :   Air Force Commendation Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters upon retirement and citation.  :  Advanced Close Combat Instructor’s Course at Westover AFB, MA.  :  One of three certificates of attendance at the Kodokan Judo Institute, Tokyo, Japan. During this last course I was selected by Mel Bruno as the 1964 SAC Training Noncommissioned Officer.  :  Stead AFB, Nevada Advanced Instructors Course.   :  Air Force Systems Command Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Award 1974, presented by General George Shaffer.  Soon after this presentation, I returned to Southeast Asia for my 5th and final tour of the Vietnam era overseas duty. 

LIFE-LONG MARTIAL ARTS FRIENDS & FAMILY ...  

Photos include: Phil Porter former President of the USJA, current founder of USMA.  :  Phil and Elaine Myers at Corry Station seminar - 1988.  :  Phil and Robby in Pensacola, FL (2007).  :  Jeffrey Beish: Robby warming up to be Best Man at Jeff and June Beish’s wedding at the Bergstrom AFB, Chapel, Austin, Texas. :  Armed Forces Day martial arts public demonstration on the flight line with Jeff and June.  :   Jeff Beish clowning around with Robby.  :  Jeff a powerful Okinawian style karateka lead many Judo clubs in the US before retiring. Check out his online bio for his amazing contributions to martial arts and as a research scientist on the astronomical study of the planet Mars.  :  Tony Lasit: Grandmaster Tony Lasit, Kajukenbo, Hawaii.  :  Robby, Tony and Jeff at Bergstrom AFB on flight line, Bergstrom AFB, TX 1966.   :  Roy "Pop" Moore receiving congrats from Col Edwin N. Garrison, 249th Bombardment Wing - Robby is standing to the right. During this period of time Robby was a student of Senior Grandmaster Tony Lasit, Kudan, Kajukenbo, Honolulu, Hawaii.  :   Rick Mertens family with Robby, Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, LA 1966. The “Best Man” at Robby’s wedding they remain close friends to this day.  :  Robby and pal Bob Kimura in Honolulu after Robby departed Hakata Annex.  :  Robby and pal Paul Shaffer, former 8^th Air Force and USAF Judo champion, now residing in Navarre, Florida, and still teaching Judo.  :   Peralta: The late Kajukenbo Sifu Rich Peralta.  :  David Parritt, 7^th Dan, COO, Samurai Martial Arts Academy, Melbourne, Florida.  :   ~   Prof. Robinson with wife, Renee at Camp Casey, Tongduchan, Korea.  :  1991 Youth Center, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Korea.  :  The “Chief Snuffy Smith” Memorial Chapter of the VFW founded at Hakata Annex sponsored many base – community activities.