Harvey Robbins

We all lost a beautiful man on December 28, 2020. Harvey Robbins was 96 years young and until the last few months of his life, still raring to go. Harvey was above all kind and generous with everyone he encountered, loved chocolate more than life and had soft baby blue eyes and a wicked sense of humor. While he had to give up running, tennis and golf during his last few years, he still loved a good game of bridge or poker, closely followed the news and politics, and enjoyed hearing about the adventures of his family and friends. It was always his mission to help all of us to “keep things under control,” as he tried to do with his own life. A true family man, he was a loving partner, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle for all of his family - biologic and/or acquired.

Harvey was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1924, and grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood to his loving parents, Shirley and Max. He is survived by two terrific siblings, Renee Harwood and Sanford Robbins, who he remained close to throughout his life. He attended and graduated from CCNY and Brooklyn College Law School. He combined his accounting and law degrees to become a successful supermarket executive.

Harvey married Brooklyn native Shirley Wiener (deceased 1979) while in law school and they had two children, Ken (Robbins) currently of Madison, Wisconsin and Diane (Rawlins) currently of Seattle, Washington. Ken’s family includes his wife, Louise and their two children, Shaina (Joe Papach) and Benjamin (Bre Mobley). Diane’s family includes her wife, Vickie and their son Sam. Harvey’s great-grandchildren include Phyllis, Max and Charlie. He drew tremendous joy hearing about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Harvey was a devoted and loving spouse. He outlived 3 wives, Shirley, Henriette and Rusty. For the last decade and a half of his life he had the good fortune to find love again in a very special partner, Julie Frohlichstein, whom he adored and cherished. Julie brought Harvey deep love and joy as a soul-mate and friend. Harvey maintained close relationships to his own children as well as Julie’s, who include: Alan and Diane and David and Carol and their 3 children Jason, Benjamin and Rachel.

Henriette’s daughters, Debbie and Denise and Rusty’s children, Bruce and Jonrita, continued a loving relationship with Harvey long after their mothers’ death. His sister’s children and their families were also part of his close family and include Renee’s sons Scott and Richard Harwood, their wives, Sheryle and Karen and their wonderful chidren.

Harvey served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII as a navigator. After WWII, he entered the world of supermarkets. He served in a number of executive positions and moved up the corporate ladder which included stops in Long Island, Oakland New Jersey, Schenectady NY, Detroit, and Philadelphia. He ultimately retired at age 55 to Boca Raton and loved his life there at Boca Lago, Boca Pointe and most recently at the Edgewater at Boca Pointe, where he enjoyed his many friends and activities.

Harvey’s family would like to offer special thanks to several incredibly compassionate caregivers who helped him towards the end of his life, during a time when visitation was limited because of COVID. These include the Trustbridge Hospice providers Dr. Moralis and Gigi, RN, and the amazing Dahlia Francis.