Donald Winfrey Robinson

Donald Winfrey Robinson, MD, of McDowell, died Sunday, November 7, 1993 at University of Virginia Medical Center.

Dr. Robinson was born April 20, 1918 in Ashton, Idaho. His parents were Stanley G. and Leita (Winfrey) Robinson.

He was educated in Missouri with an AB from Central Methodist College and a BS in Medicine from University of Missouri. He received his medical degree from Duke University in 1943. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1958 and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

He served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp from 1943 to 1946 and 1950 to 1972, retiring as Captain. He was a private physician in rural Missouri between 1946 to 1950. He served in the Pacific in World War II as a Navy physician and returned to the Navy in 1950 for a general surgery residency. He was deployed in Korean waters from 1951 -1053 as senior medical officer of the USS Toledo. He served as a surgeon and chief of surgery at various Naval Hospitals, becoming executive officer of the 1600-be Naval Hospital in Philadelphia in 1966. He was next assigned as commanding officer, USS Sanctuary, a 750-bed hospital ship deployed off Vietnam from 1967-68. He served as commanding officer of Naval Hospital, Charleston and Sixth Naval District Medical Officer from 1968 to 1972.

During his Naval service he received numerous military decorations including, Legion of Merit, Vietnam Medal of Honor - 1st Class, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Republic of Korea Presidential Union Citation, United Nations  Medal, China Service Medal, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Medal, Naval Occupation Service Medal, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, World War II Victory Medal.

Following retirement from U.S. Navy, he was Associate Professor, Medical University of South Carolina from 1972 to 1975; Chairman of SC Governor's Commission of Medicare and Medicaid in 1973; and Executive Producer, South Carolina Health Communication Network, 1073-74.

Dr. Robinson and his wife bought property in McDowell, Virginia in 1968. He served in many community organizations including Highland Medical Center, Virginia Statewide Area Health Education Centers, Highland County Industrial Development Authority, Virginia Western Highlands Travel Council, Virginia Republican Party and the Highland County Public Library. He was an elder in the McDowell Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Corrine Sue Nash Robinson; two sons, Gregory Nash Robinson of Gainesville, Ga. and Donald Winfrey Robinson Jr. of Alexandria; three grandchildren, Linda Mayworm, Corinne Fay Robinson and Gregory Nash Robinson Jr.

A memorial service will be conducted 10:30 a.m. at the McDowell Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Lester LaPrade, Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. in the Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Cemetery in Lynchburg.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Highland Medical Center, 120 Jackson River Road, Monterey, Va. 24465; McDowell Presbyterian Church, McDowell, Va. 24458; or to the Highland Rescue Squad, PO Box 268, Monterey, Va. 24465.