PDG Merrill C. (Robbie) Robinson
District Governor (151) 1955-1956
RI Theme "Develop Our Resources"
PERSONAL
Robbie was born in Ontario and served with distinction in the First World War where he was wounded and lost his sight at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. Undeterred, he settled in Vancouver where he devoted himself to a life of service to the blind. From 1929 to 1964 he was the director of the Western Division of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. His work in this connection was widely honored and recognized: created Honorary Captain by the Department of Defense in 1936, made a member of the British Empire (M.B.E.) in 1943, and awarded the degree of L.L.D. by the University of British Columbia in 1957.
ROTARY Robbie joined the Vancouver Club in 1930, and served as President in 1948-49. He was District Governor in 1955-56 and visited all 70 of the clubs then in the district. Robbie, his ubiquitous pipe, and his remarkable penchant for speeches without benefit of sight or notes, will long be remembered.