Van Robinson

DOVER, Dela. -- Van Thomas Robinson, 74, of Dover passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital after a battle with cancer.

He was born May 23, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri, and adopted by the late John E. and Linnie M. Robinson.

Van was raised in Elkville, Illinois. He earned his bachelor's degree in piano performance in 1970 and master's degree in music education in 1971 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

He was nicknamed "Beethoven", because he loved playing Beethoven sonatas and etudes. He was an extremely versatile piano accompanist for many vocal students in the SIU-C Music Department. He later earned an associate degree in accounting from Rend Lake College.

Van married Nancy Nussbaum in 1969, settled down in Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he taught music for several years, and eventually became a proud father to three children. While in Mount Vernon, he was employed by Good Samaritan Hospital's data processing and payroll department for 15 years, earning Employee of the Year in 1986, all while establishing himself as one of the area's most respected piano tuners and locksmiths and earning the nickname "Van, the Key Man".

In 1988, he and his family moved to Cape Girardeau. He was employed by Procter & Gamble and continued his locksmithing and piano tuning professions.

He divorced and later transferred to Dover in 2009 and met his current wife. Van still maintained a successful locksmith and piano tuning business for years. He retired from P&G in 2013.

Van was an active member of the New Harvest Baptist Church in Dover and the Elkville Baptist Church.

Van is survived by his wife of 14 years, Vanessa Robinson of Dover; his former wife, Nancy, and their children, Col. Jon T. (Cary) Robinson, USAF, Ret., Holly R. Robinson (Mark Stolzer) and Phillip S. Robinson (Jesse Howitt); stepchildren, Jonathan A. Young Jr., Colby A. Young and Zachary A. Young; half sister, Brenda Robinson; and grandchildren, Ian Robinson, Isaac Robinson and Emery Stolzer.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his half brother, Michael McDonald, and half sister, Judy McDonald.

A memorial service was held Thursday, May 25, at Searby Funeral Home in DuQuoin, Illinois, with the Rev. Scott Slone officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park in DuQuoin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Elkville Baptist Church.