Forrest G. Robinson

Forrest G. Robinson, PE, RLS, passed away surrounded by his family at his home on Trout Lake, WI on August 4, 2016 after his courageous battle with MDS and leukemia. He was born on July 19, 1927 in Edwardsville, IL to Marie Clayton and Robert Henry Robinson.
Wonderful, precious husband and best friend of Mary, beloved father of Gary (Patty), Jeffry (Peggy) and Scott (Mary Jo). Also survived by nephews, grandchildren and brother-in-law Ken Arnold of Edwardsville, IL. Preceded in death by his daughter, Ann, and sister Thelma O’Donnell and brother Robert Robinson.

Forrest attended grade and high school in Edwardsville and was class president of his senior class. He went from high school into the V-5 Naval Training program, attending the University of Dubuque, Iowa and Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. When WWII ended, he attended a semester at Shurtleff College in Alton, IL while awaiting entry into Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, MO, as most of the colleges were full after returning veterans were using the GI bill.

He graduated from MSMM in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering, carrying a heavy load of credits before his GI bill ran out. After graduation, he went to work for the Illinois Division of Highways. After he served his country again in the Korean War, he joined the firm of Flagg & Corlew, consulting engineers in Edwardsville. He left the firm in 1958 to take the position of City Engineer and Director of Public Works for the City of Brookfield, WI. In 1964, he left that position to start his own consulting firm with the late Fred Stone. He then partnered with Fred Welch and ended with the firm of Robinson and Associates, doing all sorts of public works projects and subdivisions, including Parc du Chateau, Glen Kerry, Canterbury Hill and others in Brookfield. His firm did the sewage treatment plant on Barker Road in Brookfield, Brookfield Square, East & West Towne Malls in Madison and Cherryvale Mall in IL. Besides Brookfield, the firm had offices in Green Bay, Balsam Lake, Madison, Stevens Point and Eagle River.

Upon retirement, he spent summers at his home on Trout Lake in northern WI and winters in Sarasota and Venice, FL, where he developed Laurel Landings Estates in Nokomis, FL. In 2001, he and Mary moved back permanently to their home on Trout Lake to be near family. He previously owned Onaway Lodge, a fishing & hunting lodge, near Ear Falls, Ontario, Canada and his namesake, Forrest Lodge, which is still in operation on Caribou Lake in northern Ontario. He wanted to make one more trip to his lodge but didn’t quite make the journey.

He was a founding member of the Presbyterian Church in Brookfield, where he taught Sunday school. He was also a member of the Restless Weasels Club in Lac du Flambeau and a member of the American Society of Engineers.

We will love and miss him more than words can say. To remember Forrest, play Sibelius’ Finlandia CD. Read the Book of John, chapter 11, verses 25 & 26. As per Forrest’s wishes, private services were held. Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com.

Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.