William D. Robbins

W. David "Dave" Robbins, 91, of Cambridge passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at Mallard Bay Care Center. He was born in Robbins, MD on March 24, 1917 to W. Jacob and Eva Robbins.

As a young man he was a trapper, waterman and a trucker. His love of hunting wild fowl and anything pertaining to the marshlands continued his entire life. He will be remembered as an advocate for its preservation. On March 27, 1942, he married Pauline "Polly" Foxwell of Lakesville. They lived at his home place until 1953 when he built a home for them in Cambridge where they resided until they entered the nursing home.

He and his late nephew, Cyril "Pete" Robbins went into the building contracting business which evolved into a building supply and hardware store known as Robbins and Robbins. They sold the business and retired in 1977. Upon retirement he became a very knowledgeable investor in the stock market, which was a passion he enjoyed until his death. They looked forward to wintering in their home in Hudson, FL for over 20 years. He was past president of the local trappers and hunters association. He was a past member of the Cambridge Lions Club, Ducks Unlimited and several other civic organizations. He served several terms on the board of directors at Golden Shore Christian School and remained a loyal supporter and volunteer. In his youth he was a member of Bounds Methodist Church in Robbins. After moving to Cambridge he and Polly became members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He served on several committees and especially enjoyed participation in the Methodist Men's fellowship dinners and annual Flower Fairs. He was proud of his Native-American Heritage and maintained an avid interest in collecting memorabilia. He was a member of the local Nause Waiwash Band of Native-Americans. He became about having a museum in which to display local artifacts. He was one of the founding fathers of the South Dorchester Folk Museum. This group films and preserves oral histories of our vanishing Dorchester Heritage. They were also the major contributors for the Dorchester County Historical Society's newest addition, known as the Robbins Heritage Center which opened in May of 2007. This building joins the complex which traces the county history through a varity of displays and interactive presentations.

In addition to his wife Polly, he is survived by his sister Martina "Smiles" Cranor, nephews and nieces Jacob "Jake" Cranor (Joan), Eva Bartrum (Ora), Stephen Robbins (Melissa), David Robbins (Jo Ellen), Gene Robbins, Cecil "Buck" Robbins (Shirley), sister and brother in laws James, Leonard and Janice Foxwell, Jim and Norris Mills, nephews and nieces William Foxwell, Cindy and Russell Stevens, Len and Kerry Foxwell, Julia and John Lloyd, Barbara and Thomas Cheesman and Cathy and Tony Hayden. Preceding him in death were brothers Cecil and Bill Franklin Robbins, a nephew Conrad Cranor, in-law Thomas Foxwell, Jr., in-law nephews James Foxwell and Thomas Foxwell III.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 3 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Rev. A. Delmer Willey, Jr. and Rev. Fred Bahr officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, c/o Richard Hargis, 205 Maryland Ave., Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the Dorchester County Historical Society Robbins Heritage Center, 901 LaGrange Ave., Cambridge, MD 21613, South Dorchester Folk Museum, P.O. Box 181, Church Creek, MD 21622. Pallbearers will be Len Foxwell, Jr., Anthony Hayden, Sr., Stephen Robbins, Jacob "Jake" Cranor, Jeffrey Kirwan and Cecil "Buck" Robbins, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Russell Stevens, James Foxwell, Leonard Foxwell, Sr., William Foxwell, Julia Cohey, Edwin Handley, Steven Adams, Vignuelle "Jim" Mills, Thomas Bradford, Anthony Hayden, Jr., Terry Crannel, Sewell Fitzhugh, John Mulligan, Calvin Rossy, Matthew Kirwan, Chris Robbins and Cody Robbins.