Leon Wallace Robbins, Jr. was born on June 23, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Leon Wallace Robbins, Sr. and Agnes Adelaide Cuyjet. He passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 77 years old.
Raised in South Philadelphia Leon attended St Thomas Aquinas Elementary, and in 1961 he graduated Bishop John Neumann High School (now recognized as Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School). Always enthusiastic about athletics Leon played baseball, basketball and cycled. A natural leader and teammate he never wavered when pursuing a common goal. After High School Leon went on to attend Maryland State College in Princess Anne, MD (now known as the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore) where he was initiated as a member of the Gamma Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated in December of 1962.
Following civil unrest in Princess Anne, Leon returned to Philadelphia in early 1963 where he worked until he entered the United States Army in June of 1967. Advised by his father Leon, Sr. to “make the best of it” Leon, Jr graduated from Officer Candidate School in Fort Eustis, VA with the rank of Second Lieutenant, Leon deployed to Vietnam where he achieved the rank of Captain in 1969.
As his experience in Vietnam changed him, so too did it change the country he served. Seeing some changes being implemented after the civil rights movement he remarked that he “left one country and came home to another.” He returned to the States in 1970 and was discharged from the Army in 1972. He enrolled in Cheyney State College (now known as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania) where he graduated Cum Laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Advanced Mathematics.
Whether he was building jet engines in Pittsfield, MA for General Electric, working with the first wide area networks for IBM, integrating combat weapons systems for Naval Aviation, or working as a System Engineer for Computer Science Corporation, he brought his education, experience and drive for excellence to every endeavor. This culminated in his earning an MBA from Drexel University in 1996.
Looming large both literally and figuratively Leon was aware of the responsibility and authority of his visibility. To be aligned with him was to be protected by him. And there was no end to what he would do to support his community. From his work with “at risk” youth, to his dedication to the people of his Church, or his time leading veterans groups, to his lasting commitment to Habitat for Humanity. He took care of people. Capable of maintaining lifelong friendships or sparking instant connections Leon was a beloved husband, devoted father, and faithful friend he will be missed beyond measure.
Leon Wallace Robbins, Jr is survived by his wife Linda Cecile Frank; his son Leon Wallace Robbins, III; his daughters Grace Anna Farrow (née Robbins) and Rachel Agnes Miles (née Robbins); his sons in law Adam Michael Farrow and Bradley Miles; his grandchildren Christopher Justin Gilbert, Corinne Ashley Chestnut (née Robbins) married to Justin Taylor Chestnut, Helena Cuyjet Robbins, Edith Agnes Farrow, and Dorothy Lenore Farrow; his great granddaughters Avery Taylor Chestnut and Emery Savannah Chestnut; his brother Carl Gregory Cuyjet Robbins; his sister Cecily Marie Robbins; and a bereavement of friends.
Visitation with the family will be from 11:00AM to 12:00PM with a funeral service at 12:00PM on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at the LONGWOOD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION of MATTHEW GENEREUX, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square. Burial will follow with United States Army military honors in Longwood Cemetery.
LIVESTREAM SERVICE beginning at 12:00PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpBrR54LI84
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Leon's name can be made to Habitat for Humanity, https://www.habitat.org/support
PLEASE SHARE YOUR PHOTOS from the day of the funeral, burial and luncheon with the family: robbins.siblings@gmail.com
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