Rush Lowell Robinson

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Rush Lowell Robinson, beloved husband, brother and friend suddenly on April 2, 2025. Born to Rush and Margaret (Kendall) Robinson on March 31, 1942 in Columbus, Ohio. He was very smart, funny and a leader, organizer, educator and the perfect husband for his wife of 52 years, Laila.

He attended Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Miami University of Ohio and earned his PhD in BioPhysics from Indiana University where he and Laila tutored in math and science, the winningest basketball team under Bobby Knight. He was a strong fan of Ohio State football, Indiana University basketball and Cardinal baseball.

He helped build the steps at Camp Akita and organized a food cooperative in Indiana University to help his fellow grad students help ends meet. The food cooperative membership increased to about 1,000 which included students, staff members and faculty. His greatest accomplishment was to create along with his partner, Steve Barsam, the Saint Louis College of Health Careers, an institution dedicated to training people to work in the health care field. His greatest satisfaction was placing his students after graduation while building up a business to enrich the community it served.

He received the HLG Champions Award from the Hispanic Leaders Groups of Saint Louis. He was also a past member of the Advisory Board of Dance St. Louis.

He loved to travel, enjoyed tasting the local cuisine and study the history and archaeology of the places he visited. He crawled down a shaft of a pyramid in Egypt, lived in Denmark a few months, walked the steps of Mayan ruins in Mexico and travelled all over Europe.

He is survived by his wife Laila, and his sisters Lana Rapp (Kevin) and Carol Shaw (David). He loved his cats Reggie and Millie and would prefer donations be sent to the ASPCA of Saint Louis.

Calling hours will be on April 24 from 4 to 7pm and on April 25 at 4:30, a celebration of life at Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, Missouri.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home     www.osfuneralhomes.com