Ferol Robinson

Funeral services for Dr. Ferol “Dr. R.” Robinson are scheduled for 10:00am, February 7, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Huntsville. Interment will follow at Brooke Cemetery, Huntsville. Reverend Ellen Willett will officiate at both services. Dr. Robinson was born in Jewett, Texas to Bob and Cloud Robinson June l, 1918. He died February 4, 2007. He was graduated from Jewett schools and received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Sam Houston State University. A doctor’s degree was earned at the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1953. Robinson married Mary Creed Engledow January 27, 1946. He was always quick to share the credit for his success with Mrs. Robinson and often said much credit should be given her for his accomplishments. Following a three and one-half year hitch in the Army in the Classification and Assignment Division and as a Separation Counselor, he joined the Sam Houston State staff in September, 1946. Upon return to Sam Houston from two years leave of absence for Doctoral studies at the University of Missouri, President Harmon Lowman asked Robinson to become director of journalism. Robinson was head of the Journalism department and director of public relations for twenty years. Some of the nation’s top newsmen and women were trained in the department during those years. He was always quick to credit quality of instruction to a faculty he assembled. Practicing newsmen were hired to teach two courses each semester. Coming to campus two days weekly from the Houston Post and Houston Chronicle were Jim Mousner, Leon Hale, Mickey Herskowitz, O.D. Wilson, Stan Redding and Gayle McNutt. For ten years prior to retirement, Dr. Robinson served as Vice-President for University Affairs at SHSU. Following retirement he served as Editor Emeritus of The Huntsville Morning News. His community activities included two terms City Council, two terms Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce and founding committee for advertising Huntsville in East Texas Travel Guide. Robinson was a member of the First United Methodist Church for more than fifty years. He served three terms as member of the Administrative Board, taught Sunday school class and was a charter member of the Wesley Foundation Board of Directors. He was a charter member of the Raven Hills Higher Education Corporation and a member of the SHSU Foundation. Among Dr. Robinson’s membership organizations include Sigma Delta Chi, Phi Kappa Alpha, Who’s Who in South and Southwest, Kappa Delta Phi, Pi Kappa Delta and received his 60 year membership Mason’s award. He is listed in Who’s Who in Personalities in Southwest and the Dictionary of International Biography, Sixth Ed., London. In April 1983, he was named SHSU Distinguished Alumni. In 1981, his journalism graduates established the Ferol Robinson Journalism Endowment. Another Ferol Robinson Journalism Endowment was established by Karey Bresenham in 1998. Allen and Patty Gage established a Ferol Robinson Journalism Scholarship Endowment in 2003. A Ferol Robinson Scholarship Program was established at SHSU by Dr. and Mrs. Kailas Rao. He is survived by daughter Patty Trammell and husband Max of Willis, Texas, two grandchildren and five great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Nealy Evans, Jewett, Texas and Mrs. Callie Skains and husband Jim, Dallas. He was preceded in death by wife, Mary Creed Robinson and daughter Pamela Robinson. Pallbearers are Allen Gage, Frank Krystyniak, Jack Sheridan, George Miles, Myles Knape, Clay Hooper, Jon McConal, Joel Barnard, Bill Hall, Bleu Beathard, Glen Lowry, Perry Smith, Larry Storrs, Don Sanders and Phil Warner. Honorary pallbearers include Lee Drain, Karey Bresenhan, Patty Gage, Ed Sandhop, Bill Prewitt, Platt McLaughin, J.M. Pollard, Walter Bennett, Dr. Jack Staggs, Morris Waller and Jim Mousner. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 from 4:00 – 6:00pm at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial condolences made be made online at www.shmfh.com.

Ferol Robinson

January 1, 1753 - February 7, 2007