James H. Robinson, 85, of LaPorte, died Jan. 21, 2014, at his home.
James was born June 13, 1928, in Rocky Point, NY, to James H. and Mildred (Edwards) Robinson.
James was an industrial engineer, specializing in plant management, machine and tool design and manufacturing systems. He was employed at Kota Products in Long Island, NY, then was transferred to Elwood, IN, in 1961 to become vice president/general manager at Kota Midwest, a manufacturer of building products and related equipment. He later relocated to Joliet, IL, as plant manager for Challenger Products. In 1964 he was assigned to Kingsbury, IN, as general manager of Challenger Products. In 1967 he became superintendent of the Carroll Avenue Plant at Inter-Royal Corporation in Michigan City, IN, and later became director of manufacturing, a three-plant operation, until 1981. He was employed at Modine Manufacturing as manager of manufacturing until 1983, when he started Environmental Products (EPI), a contract furniture and related equipment facility in Kingsbury. He retired from there in 2000.
James was a combat veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War as a sergeant 1st class and receiving the following awards: Combat Infantry, Bronze Star, UN Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal, and Korean Liberation Medal from the South Korean Government. He was a graduate of Port Jefferson High School, NY, and continued his education at Adelphi College and Long Island College in Farmingdale, NY. Jim’s organizational affiliations included the Industrial Engineer Society, Chicago Chapter; Geneva Group Consultant Engineers; U.S. War Production Board in Washington, D.C.; LaPorte Knights of Columbus; St. Joseph Parish Council; and Boy Scouts of America master.
On Sept. 19, 1953, he married Mary E. Fowler of Port Jefferson, NY, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, as well as four children: Kathleen Love of Woodridge, IL, David Robinson of Libertyville, IL, Elizabeth Banic of South Bend, IN, and Thomas Robinson of LaPorte; and nine grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers, all of Long Island, NY.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, LaPorte. A private burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte. Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heartorg/gift, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.mifox.org.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.