Memorial

Frances Dean Robison, 81, of Marion, Iowa died Monday January 3, 2022 at his winter home in Alamo, Texas. A private funeral service for family will be held within a short time and a Celebration of Life is planned for late spring with additional details to be published at a later time. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

Dean was born August 16, 1940 in Panora, Iowa to Robert L. Robison and Phyllis E. Robison.  He married Ruth Ann Folks July 18, 1959 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy he graduated from Purdue University in 1966 with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Dean then served in the Navy’s Nuclear Reactors Program in connection with the design of the NR-1; on a 717½ foot steam-powered floating gun platform involved in the Vietnam War, and in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, which was by far his favorite duty station. Dean was proud of his service as Ship Superintendent for the U.S.S. Nimitz and as the shipyard’s Docking Officer. Dean was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1977, and then worked as an electronics engineer for Rockwell Collins, retiring in 2000. In his retirement Dean enjoyed square dancing, camping, making fine furniture in his wood shop, and working in the yard with his grandson, Eric Robison. Dean was a long-time member of Marion Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Dean generously gave and received love from his family and friends. He leaves them truly blessed. 

Dean is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth; sister Naida Brown and her husband, Robert Brown; son Larry Robison; daughter Jeorgia Robison and her wife Joanne Sell; daughter-in-law and the mother of Jeorgia’s children, Barbara Allen; son Michael Robison and his wife Regina Robison; daughter Karen Robison and the father of her children, Kirk Jeffords; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dean was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert K. Robison, ENC.

Instead of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.