Jay Luke Robinson, professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of English, died Oct. 5 at his home in Ann Arbor, surrounded by his family.
The first in his family to attend college, Robinson completed his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in English at the University of California, Berkeley. While an undergraduate, he served in the Navy ROTC and was commissioned 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954.
After serving on the faculty at Northwestern University, Robinson accepted a position as assistant professor of English at the University of Michigan in March of 1965, and moved to Ann Arbor. His time at U-M was distinguished by his scholarly work in middle English, linguistics, education and literacy.
He held many administrative postions, including chair of the Department of English from 1974-81, director of the Center for Education Improvement through Collaboration, director of the English Composition Board, co-director of the Write for Your Life Project, executive director of the Middle English Dictionary, and co-chair of the Ph.D. program in English and Education. He was a beloved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend to the U-M community until his retirement in 1996.
Retirement allowed him to indulge his love of the Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers, and the San Francisco Giants and 49ers; spend time at his much-loved home in the Upper Peninsula; and watch his grandchildren grow.
Throughout his life, he remained committed to, and lived by, ideals that rose from a deeply held belief that all humans should be honored regardless of difference. A teacher to the end, he showed those of us left behind how to face death with dignity, peace and humility.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Machree, by his four children, Caitlin, Hilary (Eric), Matthew (Heather) and Samuel (Susan), and his grandchildren, Luke, Anneke (Cory), Conor, Jay, Schuyler, Dylan, Cailean and Grant.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Robinson’s name to the Washtenaw Alano Club, 995 N. Maple Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
— Submitted by Ruth Rose Gretzinger, Michigan Creative
