E.C. Chuck Robinson

Edward Charles (Chuck) Robinson died Dec. 19, 2008, in Longview, Wash., at the age of 85.

Chuck was born Nov. 20, 1923, in Vallejo, Calif., to Charlie and Hilda (Jokela) Robinson. He grew up in North Dakota and Iowa, moving to Washington to graduate from Toutle Lake High School in 1941. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II, volunteering the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943 he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Wiley. After the war they lived in Longview until 1951, and then moved to Moses Lake where Chuck was a farmer and rural mail carrier. He was active in the Rural Letter Carriers Association and served as state president and chairman of the national convention in 1977. After he retired from the post office in 1980, he was able to spend more time on his hobby of restoring antique cars. He restored more than 50 cars and took part in many tours and car shows. Twice he entered the Great American Race, driving across the country in his 1933 Pontiac Cabriolet. After Virginia died in 1998, Chuck married Wyona McCully and returned to Longview.

Chuck was an enthusiastic participant in life, from riding the rails as a teenager to parasailing in his 80s. He was a kind, honorable and generous man who will be missed by family and friends. Chuck was predeceased by his brother Robert Robinson and sister Jacqueline Van Waters. Survivors include his wife Wyona, daughter Vickie (Alan) Eaker and son Randall (Kris) Robinson, step-children Sandee (Ken) Ness, Colleen (Bill) Brady, Les (Debbie) McCully, Doug (Arlene) McCully, Debbie (Bill) Gould, Jana (Steve) McWilliams, Linda Snyder and Peggy (Duke) Spencer, grandchildren Andrea Eaker, Scott, Leah, Katy and Jon Robinson, great-grandchildren Oren Robinson and Mayzee Blakesley, and numerous other extended family members.

No services are planned at this time. Columbia Funeral Service in Longview is in charge of arrangements.