Keith Robinson

Keith Douglas Robinson, 46, dedicated husband, father and beloved brother, passed away on June 9th in San Diego, California. Keith was born on October 22, 1965, in Lebanon, Indiana to Charles David and Betty Lou Robinson. He was the youngest of six brothers, Stephen, Scott, Michael, Mark and Kevin. Keith spent his early years in Zionsville, attending grade school there before graduating from North Central High School in in Indianapolis in 1984. Keith was proud of his service to our country, joining the Navy in 1992 at aged 27 where they always referred to him as the 'Old Man'. At the time of his death, Keith was an Aircrew Survival Equiptmentman (PR) at the Navy's fleet Readiness Center – Southwest. While boastful about his Naval dedication, he was humbled by those who preceded him; regularly attending services for Pearl Harbor veterans and visiting those battle torn in the Naval hospital. His Naval career began December 8, 1992 and completed his basic boot camp February 11, 1993. During his extensive years of Naval service, Keith served on the USS Dwight Eisenhower, USS Kitty Hawk, USS Independence. He served his country and Navy in various leadership roles over his almost 20 years of Naval Aviation. Keith supervised and prepared the finest aircraft our military has in its arsenal. His positions included not only overseeing millions of dollars of Naval aircraft like F/A 18 A-F Jets, but also the men and women who worked cared for the air crafts and crews. Petty Officer Robinson branched out beyond Naval Aviation and reported to SPECIAL BOAT TEAM TWO ZERO (SPECBOATU 20) on 2 April 2000 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. There he qualified and served as a Joint Airdrop Inspector and Aircraft Load Planner supporting the training and deployment of Naval Special Warfare Operators, resulting in 1,500 mishap-free parachute jumps overland and overwater, in support of exercises, contingency operations, and clandestine operations in the Europe, Middle East, Asia, and South America. On 16 February 2006, Petty Officer Robinson checked-in to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO ONE (HSC-21) "Blackjacks" home based at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California, marking his return to Naval Aviation after a long hiatus. There as ALSS work center supervisor he received an "Outstanding" grade during a 2006 Search and Rescue evaluation and a noteworthy "the best they had ever seen" from the Chief of Naval Operations Model Manager. At HSC-21, Robinson deployed to the Pacific Fleet and Fifth Fleet Areas of Responsibility. After a successful sea duty tour at HSC-21, Petty Officer Robinson checked into Fleet Readiness Center Southwest on 15 October 2008. There he qualified to release aircraft "safe for flight" for F/A-18A-F, C-2A, E-2C, and CH-53E aircraft. Aircrew Survival Equipmentman First Class (Air Warfare) Keith Douglas Robinson has been awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Navy Unit Commendation (2nd Award), Navy Battle "E" (3rd Award), Navy Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. While on leave in Thailand in 1999, he met his wife, Jan. They were married 2001. They are blessed with a daughter, Kittya Lou. As a father, Keith would make every day special for his daughter, Kittya Lou, whether it was a day at the zoo, a walk in the garden or washing his prized Corvette. Keith loved all his family and friends and has happiest around them. Rarely a week went by without contacting his at least one of his siblings while he was in the Navy. He also shared his love for all things Indiana, especially the basketball Hoosiers. Keith is survived by his wife Jan, daughter Kittya Lou, both of San Diego; his brothers Stephen (Terry) of Zionsville, Scott (Loretta) of Mooresville, Michael (Cindy) of Flint, Michigan, Mark of Zionsville and Kevin (Monica) of Kirkwood, Missouri; and his nieces and nephews who loved him very much! Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Charles David and Betty Lou Visitation will be Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 10 am to 1 pm with a service beginning 1 pm at Flanner and Buchanan-Zionsville. Burial with Naval honors will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. You may share a memory or offer your condolences at www.flannerbuchanan .com