Dr. Irwin B. Robinson, a Chicago-area dentist, oral surgeon, dental faculty member and researcher, leader in organized dentistry, dental journalist, and activist in charities, died on Aug. 30 at age 90.
“Dr. Robinson was associated with the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry for 70 years,” said the College’s Dean, Dr. Bruce Graham. “He was a brilliant faculty member, an active member of our Alumni Board, and a writer for our alumni magazine up until his recent passing. Dr. Robinson was a giant in the annals of the College’s history and in organized dentistry. There will never be another like him.”
Besides being a man of superior accomplishment, Dr. Robinson was beloved by students and colleagues for his personality. Dr. Bernard G. Sarnat, one of the world’s leading plastic surgeons and a 1940 graduate of the College, once described Dr. Robinson as “tactful, sensitive, modest, unassuming, emphatic, intellectually honest, and highly respected.”
Born on Chicago’s West Side Aug. 22, 1920, Dr. Robinson earned his BS degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1942, his DDS from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry in 1945, and his MS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from the UIC College of Dentistry in 1954.
He was in private practice until 1990, and also worked at Cook County Hospital in the 1940s. He held appointments at Mt. Sinai Medical Center from 1948 to 1960, Edgewater Hospital from 1960 to 1989, and at Rush-North Shore Medical Center from 1970 to 1990.
At the UIC College of Dentistry, he served as an instructor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from 1947 to 1950, Assistant Professor from 1950 to 1955, Associate Professor from 1955 to 1960, and Volunteer Associate Professor from 1990 to 2010.
“When I met Dr. Robinson last year, I was immediately captivated by his positive attitude and his infectious smile,” said Dr. Michael Miloro, Head of the Department of Oral and Maxilofacial Surgery. “His passion and enthusiasm for the University of Illinois, the College of Dentistry, and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are unparalleled, and it would be difficult to find a more appropriate ambassador for all of us.
“I have found ‘Robby’ to be kind, warm, humble, and patient,” Dr. Miloro said. “During his tenure at the U of I, he has been recognized as an outstanding oral surgery educator whose students appreciated his expertise, honesty, and caring nature, as well as his sincerity and dedication. Dr. Robinson was a tremendous asset to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for more than a half century, and a wonderful colleague and friend to all of the faculty. He will be missed greatly.”
“Dr. Robinson was one of the most loyal alumni the UIC College of Dentistry has ever known,” Dean Graham said. “He gave of himself in so many ways and touched thousands of lives as a teacher, mentor, oral surgeon, Alumni Board member, and leader in organized dentistry. He offered both his personal time and his many treasures to benefit the lives of others. In this regard, Dr. Robinson was unique.”
As a dental researcher, Dr. Robinson studied sickle-cell anemia, production of sarcomas, surgical closure of oroantral fistula, surgery on the mandible (jawbone), and tetanus, and his research findings were published in such academic journals as Radiology, the Journal of Dental Research, the American Journal of Orthodontics, the American Journal of Anatomy, the Journal of Oral Surgery, the American Journal of Surgery, and Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology.
“His original research on the growth pattern of the pig mandible was so outstanding that the thesis was accepted for publication in the American Journal of Anatomy,” said Dr. Sarnat. “The publication received world-wide recognition.”
Dr. Robinson was a member of the UIC Dental Alumni Board of Directors from 1950 to 1961 and from 1987 to 2010. He held all of the board’s executive positions in the late 1950s and served as President in 1960-61. Earlier this year, because of his 34 years of service to the board, the College renamed its President’s Leadership Award for Dr. Robinson.
“Dr. Robinson’s decades of service on the UIC Dental Alumni Association Board of Directors will never be equaled,” said the board’s President, Dr. Charles DiFranco. “His encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the College, and his ability to be gently persuasive when wise counsel was needed, made Dr. Robinson a true elder statesman whose advice, opinions, and friendship were valued by every board member. On a personal note, I’ll never forget how he warmly welcomed me to the board and made me feel comfortable from day one.”
From 1995 to 2010, he served as a member of the College’s Kottemann Gallery Committee, which oversees the College’s historical gallery.
A particularly meaningful accomplishment for the College was his creation of its Vision magazine (“Vision” refers to the College’s vision for excellence). Vision is the major vehicle for the College to communicate with its alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and supporters and is a vital fundraising tool.
Before 1991, Vision was a small newsletter of few pages in length published infrequently. When Dr. Robinson suggested to then-Dean Allen W. Anderson that the publication be improved, Dr. Anderson in turn suggested to Dr. Robinson that he take on the task.
With no previous journalistic training, Dr. Robinson became Editor-in-Chief of the publication, turning it into a high-quality, award-winning magazine. From 1991 to 1995, Dr. Robinson did most of the writing and photography himself. In 1995, he was promoted to Executive Editor, continuing in that role until 2009.
Since the early 1990s, Dr. Robinson served as a volunteer in the College’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, and was involved in raising more than $400,000 to help renovate the College’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic.
“Dr. Robinson’s relationships with so many of the graduates of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were crucial in encouraging his colleagues to donate, and he supported the College in many generous ways,” said Assistant Dean for Advancement Mark J. Valentino. “He was an alumnus whose love for, and commitment to, his alma mater shone through in all that he did and he was willing to devote untold hours to the benefit of the College. Dr. Robinson played a key role in the success of the Brilliant Futures Campaign, which has provided more than $21 million in private support to the College of Dentistry.”
Dr. Robinson was highly active in professional organizations: the American Dental Association (life member), the Illinois State Dental Society (life member), the Chicago Dental Society (President, 1983-84), the Chicago Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (President, 1971-72), the Illinois Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (life member), the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (life member), the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the International Association for Dental Research, the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (life member), the Odontographic Society of Chicago (Chairman, 1989-91), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Devoted to Jewish causes, Dr. Robinson served as Ezra Habonim/Niles Township Jewish Congregation President, 1979-80; Director of the Dental Division of the Jewish United Fund in Chicago in 1969, 1973, and 1989; and Chair of the Dental Division of State of Israel Bonds 1965. He also was a volunteer oral surgeon at The Ark Dental Clinic, an affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Chicago, treating indigent patients there.
"’Robby’ was a dedicated volunteer at The Ark's free dental clinic for three decades,” said Dr. Charles Tannenbaum, Director of the Dental Clinic at the Ark. “He brought his oral surgery expertise, good nature, and concern for The Ark's patients to us every Monday, rain or shine, like clockwork. I would frequently be involved in the restorative care of patients treated by Robby. Unprompted, virtually every patient would comment on his great skills and compassion. He cared deeply about the dental clinic, frequently calling me to brainstorm ways to improve its operation or to discuss concerns he might have about a particular patient's care. Robby will be greatly missed by everyone who came in contact with him at The Ark.”
Dr. Robinson’s honors include induction into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society, Sigma Chapter, 1953; the Society of the Sigma Xi, University of Illinois Chapter, 1955; Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1956; Fellow of the American College of Dentists, 1960; Fellow of the International College of Dentists, 1960; Fellow of the International College of Dentists, 1961; Man of the Year, Alpha Omega Fraternity, 1965; University of Illinois Alumni Association Loyalty Award, 1989; University of Illinois Alumni Association Constituent Leadership Award, 1990; lifetime Achievement Award, Dental Division of the Jewish United Fund, 1995; and University of Illinois Alumni Association Lou Liay Spirit Award, 2004.
Dr. Robinson also was an accomplished painter, a hobby he took up in the last ten years.
He is survived by his wife, Louise; children Louis (Jackie) Robinson; Dr. Jamie (Carol) Robinson, DDS; Maris (Peter) Nathan; Barbara (Gregg) Dorner; Joanne Shaw; and James (Nancy) Sliver; 16 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren will be born soon.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at Temple Jeremiah, 937 N. Happ Road, Northfield, IL, 60093, (847) 441-0225. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, IL. The family will be at home receiving visitors late Thursday, all day Friday, and part of Saturday. Dr. Robinson was a resident of Northbrook, IL.