Richard Harrison Robbins

Richard Harrison Robbins age 88 years died in his Sharon, Massachusetts home on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. Born in Brooklyn, New York on May 19, 1922; he was the son of the late David H. and Frances (Frachtman) Robbins. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in New York with the class of 1939. Mr. Robbins served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College in 1946. Mr. Robins continued his education at the State College of Washington, where he earned his Master's degree in Sociology in 1948. He earned his PhD at the University of Illinois in 1958. Mr. Robbin won two Fullbright Scholarships one in 1949 and one in 1962. He has been a resident of Sharon since 1967 moving from Norton, Massachusetts.

Mr. Robbins was a professor of Sociology at Wheaton College, the University of Massachusetts at Boston and the University of Leicester in England. He was also the first Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

In addition to being a professor , he also wrote two books. The first one was International Migrationas and was written with Donald Taft. The second book was called Sidelines Activist and was a Biography of Charles Johnson.

He was a lifelong pacifist and an advocate for civil rights.

Beloved husband of Gillian (Hytch) Robbins. Loving father of Genna Robbins Spear of Walpole, Julia Robbins of Gainesville, FL Heidi Ashton Draisey of England, and Wendy Skinner of Niles, MI. Cherished grandfather of Elizabeth, Emily, Danielle, Aiden, Hannah, Elisa. Brother of the late Eugene Robbins.

A private memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2011. Memorial donations may be made to Amnesty International USA 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home Walpole.