OWLS HEAD – The Rev. Dr. William J. Robbins, 93, former minister of Universalist Church of Yarmouth and First Universalist Church of Rockland, died Friday, April 6, 2007, at his home after a short period of declining health. He was a 1931 graduate of Somerville, Mass. High School, and a 1935 graduate of Harvard College. In 1938 he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree and began post-graduate studies at Harvard Divinity School, while serving as associate minister of a Baptist church in Somerville. In 1940 he transferred to graduate school at Brown University, Providence, R.I. Commissioned as a chaplain, 1st. lieutenant, U.S. Army in 1942, ultimately he was promoted to major. Upon his return to civilian life, he was appointed instructor in Biblical literature at Brown University, earning a Ph.D. in 1947. In July, Dr. Robbins was appointed assistant professor in Biblical literature and history of religions at Brown and also served as chaplain. In 1952 he was appointed associate professor and chairman of the Department of Religious Studies at Brown. Moving to Rockport in 1956, he taught English, French and Latin at Rockport High School, while serving as minister of the Universalist Church of Yarmouth and First Universalist Church of Rockland. He enjoyed a special relationship with a sister-in-law and her family, Roselyn and Stan Listernick of Middleton, Mass. Dr. Robbins was predeceased by his siblings and three wives, Nadine Ratcliffe Robbins in 1977, Gladys Blum Robbins in 1982, and Mabel Briggs Robbins in 1999. He is survived by one stepson, H. Reed McKenney and his wife, Deborah, of Owls Head; one stepdaughter, Karen Ratcliffe of Bangor; seven grandchildren, Darlene McKenney, Amanda Toris and her husband, Sean, Rachel Coleman and her husband, Mathew, Peter Burke, Hannah Burke, Patrick Burke and Katie Burke Butler and her husband, Charles; and one great-grandson, Eathen Butler. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Glen Cove Cemetery, Warrenton Ave., Glen Cove. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care & Hospice, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841 or First Universalist Church of Rockland, 340 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland. For a complete obituary please visit www.bchfh.com
REV. DR. WILLIAM J. ROBBINS
