Rev. Albert Robinson

Rev. Albert C. Robinson, 94 of Shippensburg, died Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Greenridge Village, Newville, PA.

Born October 11, 1916 in Berlin New Jersey, he was the son of Clarence W. and Miriam R. (Funkhouser) Robinson. On the death of his mother at childbirth, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Orville and Almerta Funkhouser.

Rev. Robinson was educated in the public schools of Butler PA, and received a Bachelor of Arts from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. He attended Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA earning a Bachelor of Divinity and Masters of Divinity. Ordained to the Christian ministry in 1941 by the Pittsburgh Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, he served as pastor of Faith Evangelical and Reformed Church, later United Church of Christ, York, PA from 1941 to 1955 and Grace United Church of Christ, Shippensburg, PA from 1955 to 1978. Upon his retirement, he was elected Pastor Emeritus of Grace Church.

Active in the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ throughout his ministry, he served on its Board of Directors and chaired its Commission on National Missions. He was also active in the Mercersburg Association and served as its president.
Rev Robinson was also Director of Camping for the Mercersburg and Potomac Synods of the Evangelical and Reformed Church for a number of years and on the Board of Directors of Camp Michaux. He was active in the Shippensburg Ministerium, the Cumberland County Unit of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Shippensburg Police commission and Lions Club. He was an avid gardener all his life, enjoyed camping and travel, and spending time with friends and family.

Surviving is his wife of 70 years, Mary Margaret McCaslin Robinson, five sons and daughters in law; David A. and Sue O., New Windsor, MD, John J. and Bonnie B., Concord, CA, Robert B. and Joanna M., Philadelphia, PA, Thomas E. and Margaret W., Gallup, NM, and Daniel J. and Pricilla T., Storm Lake, IA. He and wife were also guardians of three of his cousins whom he considered his daughters; Joan Michaels, Silver Spring, MD, Kendra McBride, Cross Junction, VA, and Laura Prescott, West Branch, MI. He has 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a half sister, Flora Scott of San Antonio, TX.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Elizabeth Ann Mohr Robinson and great grandson, Benjamin Geoffrey Robinson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. in the Grace United Church of Christ, Shippensburg, with the Rev. George W. Heckard officiating. Burial will be private. A visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of the service in the church. Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Church of Christ, 121 E. Orange St. Shippensburg, PA 17257 or Faith United Church of Christ, 509 Pacific Ave, York, PA 17404.