Lawrence Saunders Robinson

Lawrence Saunders Robinson, age 67, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at his home in West Branch with his family by his side. He was born to John and Pauline (Meola) Robinson in Detroit, MI on December 2, 1947. Larry has lived in the West Branch area for the last 35 years, formerly of Clarkston, MI. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was a Veteran of the Army serving in Vietnam. His exposure to Agent Orange resulted in his medical issues and his death.

Larry graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1965 and from Michigan State University with a B. S. Wildlife Management degree. He was hired by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources in 1973 and took his first assignment in the Pontiac, MI field office. Larry also held Wildlife Management positions in West Branch and Mio, MI from 1979 to 2002. He was awarded the DNR Director’s Award for Outstanding Professionalism in 1993 and Pete Petoskey Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Managing Michigan’s Resources. He was known for his knowledge of waterfowl and performed Waterfowl ID classes for DNR’s law enforcement division.

Larry was active in Ducks Unlimited served as local chair, and was the Area Chairman and State Sponsor Chairman. He was also active with the Ruffed Grouse Society, Wildlife Society and Michigan Resources Stewards.

Larry loved hunting of all types especially hunting out west for big game and pheasants. He was an active duck hunter and enthusiast and enjoyed hunting with his Labrador Retrievers. He also hunted upland game birds with his German Shorthairs. Larry was a decoy carver and took many ribbons in competitions in the United States. He was an excellent woodworker making many projects for his home and woodshop.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Margaret “Maggie” Robinson of West Branch; sisters: Carol (Tony) Hill of Gulfport, MS and Maria (Robert) Daugherty of Waterford, MS; brother in laws: Gary Lampinen of Bonita Springs, FL and Floyd Lampinen of Overton, NV; and nieces and nephews: Michelle Huls, Kristine Edwards, Darlene Hill, Alan Schultz, Lohny Schultz, Jennifer Daugherty, Heather Gomez, Theresa Richman, Robert Daugherty Jr., Ingrid Pearson, Christine Arentson, Karen Arentson, Christine O’Morrow, Kim Featherston, Dale Lampinen, Mike Lampinen, Susan Lampinen, and Katie Gaffin. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline; sister, Karen Gulick; mother in law and father in law, Gerhard and Hilma Lampinen; sisters in law: Judy Arentson and Lily Gay Lampinen; brother in law, Gordon Lampinen; and nephew, Carl Arentson.

There are many special people that were there for Larry. Karen Robinson Gulick, his sister who precedes him, donated her bone marrow for his bone marrow transplant in 1988. Linda Lee of Lincoln, MI, donated her kidney in 1997 to replace Larry’s damaged kidney. Carrie, his caregiver the last 3 weeks of his life, prompted him to tell his stories. All of the caregivers, doctors, and professionals that not only did their jobs, but were amazed at Larry’s ability to defy the odds.

Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI will begin on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Memorial Service will be on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of West Branch at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Tim Dibble will officiate.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Ducks Unlimited, First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, and Hospice of Helping Hands.