Gerald (Jerry) Robbins, aged 90, passed away on Monday, July 17th, 2023 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Jerry was born on March 8, 1933 in Milwaukee, WI to Dell and Leonarda (Novak) Robbins. After a few years, the family moved toFlint,Michigan where Jerry developed his love for the outdoors and sports by spending much of his free time with his siblings playing "down by the creek" near their home in Flint. He attended Kearsley Agricultural High School in Flint, MI where he played football, basketball and baseball, and graduated in 1951.

In 1953, Jerry married the love and inspiration of his life, Anne Vary, and had 4 children: Gerald (Mark), Michael, Mary and Paula. Anne changed the trajectory of his life and they spent 66 loving years together until Anne passed on in April of 2019.

Jerry attended UW–LaCrosse where he graduated in 1958 with honors and received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Physical Education and History. Jerry played basketball at LaCrosse and held records well into recent years. It was during this time, in 1957, he was declared an All-American Player, receiving this honor from the National Basketball Congress of America. Jerry also excelled academically, and was elected president of Kappa Delta Pi–Beta Tau Chapter and belonged to Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity, and as a junior was awarded a World War II Memorial scholarship.

Soon after Jerry and Anne arrived in LaCrosse, however, he was drafted into the Korean war. He served for 2 years in the U.S. Army where he played football, basketball and baseball at Fort Benning, Georgia and was honorably discharged in 1955. Jerry then attended UW-Madison where he received his Masters of Science in Education and History in1959. He went on to teach history at Manitowoc Lincoln High School where he taught for 32 years. Within this timeframe he had many accomplishments and was deeply involved with the Ships sports department. Jerry enjoyed researching historical topics, and especially having access to primary sources, as a result he created and contributed to curriculum for many of the classes in his department. Early on in his career he was elected by his peers as Chief Negotiator for the Manitowoc Teachers Union where he essentially argued equal pay for equal work and used his skills and insight to work at fairly representing his colleagues and assist in improving the Manitowoc School System. Jerry was also a coach and assistant coach in many sports including: basketball, football, swimming and diving. Jerry also contributed to Lincoln's sports by being involved in scouting for basketball and football,  timing at wrestling and track meets, and was the chief statistician for the Ships football team for several years. One of Jerry's greatest honors was as an appointed member to the "Wall of Fame Committee" where he contributed his vast knowledge of years of Lincoln's sports history and all of its great athletes. He argued passionately for the candidates who he thought should be inducted into this honorable, historical group. In his early years he could be seen jogging along the lakeshore and in later years walking his daily 3-5 miles.  He also spent time at Lincoln in the weight room well into his 80's. He put his heart and soul into his classroom and appreciated when students stopped him in his retirement years to tell him how much they enjoyed his class. He absolutely loved teaching.

After retiring in 1992, Jerry continued his passion at being an outdoorsman. Jerry's son, Mark, had introduced him to his favorite place, Quetico Provincial Park wilderness area in Canada.  This beautiful landscape then became Jerry's special place for fishing, camping, and canoeing and simply soaking in the quiet, wild beauty. So, just like his son Mark introduced Jerry to Quetico, he did the same by taking family members, friends and colleagues to this region he loved so much. Jerry taught his children how to swim, sail and canoe and instilled in them a curiosity of nature and history.

Jerry was a great storyteller and loved to cook and bake. He made the best cheesecake, apple pie, homemade bread, pancakes and especially enjoyed making holiday dinners. He had a deep connection with music and especially loved classical, opera and 40's jazz. He also was an avid Badger fan spending many days and evenings cheering for his Badgers!

He is survived by his three children, Michael (Kim) Robbins, Mary Robbins and Paula Robbins, his sister Nancy Rice, Brother-In-Law James (Pat) Vary, grandchildren Taschina Wren-Robbins and Brandon Welch, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. In addition to his wife Anne, and his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Gerald (Mark) Robbins on July 3, 2004, his brother Jack Robbins, brother & sister-in-law, Dell Jr. & Sally Robbins, his sister Mary Ann Haigler, brother-in-law & sister-in-law Harry & Janette Kutten, sister-in-law Betty Vary, and many close friends and relatives throughout the years.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the family for a memorial/scholarship in connection to Lincoln High School in his name.

A Life Celebration Social will be held for relatives and friends on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.

Jerry's family would like to thank the staff at Manitowoc Rehab Center and Healthcare, and also Homecare Health Services and Hospice for the compassionate care given to Jerry during this time.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.