Internationally known photographer, philanthropist

Donald Robinson was a patient photographer, paying particular attention to light and detail.

He was known to wake up early in the morning to capture the perfect angle of the sun as it rose over India’s Taj Mahal. And he would sit for hours next to a river in a Western Pennsylvania forest, waiting for the reflection of the sun’s rays to hit the glassy surface just right.

Mr. Robinson’s innate determination translated into the many facets of his life — businessman, philanthropist, internationally recognized photographer and a man who enriched the Pittsburgh community. He traveled to all seven continents and 60 countries, with particular interest in serving the needs of national and international Jewish efforts.

A native of Altoona, he died Sunday at age 91 in Boca Raton, Fla. “He had an artist’s eye. He

able to truly capture the moment — his photographs were universal,” said Gary Moyer, executive director of Southern Alleghenies Museum.

During World War II, Mr. Robinson enlisted in the Navy College Training Program. He attributed his later success to the organizational skills and values he acquired in the Navy. He was known to have many memo pocket books and files.

“Everything in his life was very well-planned. When we went out to dinner with him, he planned where everyone would sit and would make food recommendations,” said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, who was a friend of his for 19 years.

Even though he grew up a couple of doors down on Beechwood Boulevard from Sylvia, his wife of 70 years, in Squirrel Hill and their siblings were friends, he didn’t meet her until years later.

“He met my mother when he was home on leave with his Navy friends and they crashed a wedding that she was at,” said Carol Markel, his daughter who lives in Pittsburgh.

After World War II ended, Mr. Robinson attended the University of South Carolina and went on to Harvard University School of Business. He then joined his father and brother at their tobacco and candy business, A. Robinson and Co.

In 1961, he became president of White Cross Stores, overseeing the merger of his company with Revco discount drugstores in 1972, becoming a pioneer as he battled the fair trade laws in Pennsylvania. He triumphed in a lawsuit against Gillette — making discount retailing possible on the East Coast, she said.

In addition to his business success, he sat on the boards of myriad organizations, such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Society, WQED Public Television, local hospitals and museums, and Jewish organizations. Among his endeavors, he was chairman of the Renaissance Campaign of the United Jewish Federation, which raised $54 million to help restructure and support nonprofit Jewish organizations.

“My father was always proud of his business successes, but in terms of his legacy, his community service and photography will live on and be remembered,” Ms. Markel said.

“He became engaged around what he could do and where he could make a difference, particularly for Israel and Jewish communities,” she said.

Mr. Robinson also was on the boards of many international charity groups. While chairman of the American Joint Jewish Distribution Committee, he traveled to Ethiopia to visit a Jewish community. It was there that he captured one of his favorite photographs: a procession of Ethiopian Jews carrying Torahs in traditional robes — a scene that was very meaningful to him, Ms. Markel said.

He has received international recognition for his photographs and has been featured in many museums including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.

“He was a Renaissance man,” Mr. Moyer said. SOMA has more than 800 of his photographs in its permanent collection. And he won prestigious awards like the Galaxy Award of the Photographic Society of America.

He donated a large number of his photographs to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, the Duquesne Club and the Jewish housing facilities.

“When my mother was terminally ill and couldn't leave her bed, he took pictures of flowers and gave them to her and it helped her a lot,” said Karen Feinstein, CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and friend for 26 years. “He was a great bridge builder and had his eye on the future,” Ms. Feinstein said.

He was also devoted to his family, taking them on many boating trips in the Bahamas. And, even though he was not a fan of fly fishing, he took his son, Stephen, to Alaska to catch salmon as well as take him on trips around the world.

Even in his 80s, Mr. Robinson loved to try new things, especially technology. He was a fast learner, Ms. Markel said, teaching himself digital photography, and he even bought an iPhone. On weekends, he enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to make photograph prints.

“My dad was not afraid to try new things or go to new places,” Ms. Markel said. “He wanted to share the beauty of the world with others.”