Robin Chandler Hill—some thoughts from classmate, Jack Dempster
Robin was my best friend. We met in middle school and kept in touch off and on while Robin was still in Southern California. There were a few years when his family moved back to Michigan and Robin was also in the Bay Area for several years after Taft when he attended San Jose State.
Robin was a dear person, kind and fun, warm and caring about people. Over the last 25 years, he was involved in numerous organizations and efforts to help others. His work with Big Animals For Little Kids was exemplary—bringing joy to hundreds of youngsters who were physically impaired or mentally abused. He told my wife and I a story on the way back from my father’s funeral almost 21 years ago that was unforgettable. I’ll be glad to share it with you if you’d like.
After Big Animals, Robin got very interested in helping adults who were having trouble dealing with life. He studied for years, attended seminars and even started his own consulting business. He was brilliant in this endeavor because he truly could empathize with people coping with how to be happy. He had a rate schedule, but many of the people he counselled could not afford his services, so he didn’t charge them.
Later, he was a guest speaker at many events and workshops for veterans suffering from PTSD. Again, he was masterful. A good friend of mine who had serious physical and mental issues raved recently about how Robin, in 3 or 4 sessions, completely changed his life. He was flabbergasted at Robin’s ability to quickly help him see how best to think and resolve issues that had been troubling him for half his life.
In recent years, Robin was very active in SMART Moms, a Christian organization in the Temecula area that helped single, disadvantaged moms with kids meet some of the challenges of being poor. He was a tireless fundraiser and devoted countless hours to this charitable endeavor.
Robin’s dearest female friend was also one of the principal people making SMART Moms successful. Here is what she said about Robin:
“Everyone who knows Robin will grieve the loss of an AMAZING MAN who gave and gave and gave. He has a heart of gold, a smile that lights up a room and a childlike, playful nature that makes him friends with every person he meets. He will LOVE it in heaven and be DEEPLY missed on earth…He made such a difference in the world.”
If you’d like to talk about your experiences with Robin, share a story, what have you, feel free to do so here. I’d also be happy to share memories with anyone who’s interested…my cell is 949-338-4738.
For those who didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to Robin, don’t feel sad for him. He knew what was happening and accepted it with the same class, grace and unselfishness that one would expect of him. God had a plan for him, he used to say, and he knew it was the best plan possible.
I'm so sorry to hear about Robin. I was not a personal friend of his but remember him well. I'm so glad to hear about all of his compassionate work in life. To reach out to people in need is one of the greatest and most loving things we can do for our fellow life travelers. God bless you, Robin, for helping take care of so many people who needed you. And God bless your family. --Russ Kidd
John "Jack" Dempster
Robin Chandler Hill—some thoughts from classmate, Jack Dempster
Robin was my best friend. We met in middle school and kept in touch off and on while Robin was still in Southern California. There were a few years when his family moved back to Michigan and Robin was also in the Bay Area for several years after Taft when he attended San Jose State.
Robin was a dear person, kind and fun, warm and caring about people. Over the last 25 years, he was involved in numerous organizations and efforts to help others. His work with Big Animals For Little Kids was exemplary—bringing joy to hundreds of youngsters who were physically impaired or mentally abused. He told my wife and I a story on the way back from my father’s funeral almost 21 years ago that was unforgettable. I’ll be glad to share it with you if you’d like.
After Big Animals, Robin got very interested in helping adults who were having trouble dealing with life. He studied for years, attended seminars and even started his own consulting business. He was brilliant in this endeavor because he truly could empathize with people coping with how to be happy. He had a rate schedule, but many of the people he counselled could not afford his services, so he didn’t charge them.
Later, he was a guest speaker at many events and workshops for veterans suffering from PTSD. Again, he was masterful. A good friend of mine who had serious physical and mental issues raved recently about how Robin, in 3 or 4 sessions, completely changed his life. He was flabbergasted at Robin’s ability to quickly help him see how best to think and resolve issues that had been troubling him for half his life.
In recent years, Robin was very active in SMART Moms, a Christian organization in the Temecula area that helped single, disadvantaged moms with kids meet some of the challenges of being poor. He was a tireless fundraiser and devoted countless hours to this charitable endeavor.
Robin’s dearest female friend was also one of the principal people making SMART Moms successful. Here is what she said about Robin:
“Everyone who knows Robin will grieve the loss of an AMAZING MAN who gave and gave and gave. He has a heart of gold, a smile that lights up a room and a childlike, playful nature that makes him friends with every person he meets. He will LOVE it in heaven and be DEEPLY missed on earth…He made such a difference in the world.”
If you’d like to talk about your experiences with Robin, share a story, what have you, feel free to do so here. I’d also be happy to share memories with anyone who’s interested…my cell is 949-338-4738.
For those who didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to Robin, don’t feel sad for him. He knew what was happening and accepted it with the same class, grace and unselfishness that one would expect of him. God had a plan for him, he used to say, and he knew it was the best plan possible.
Russell Kidd
I'm so sorry to hear about Robin. I was not a personal friend of his but remember him well. I'm so glad to hear about all of his compassionate work in life. To reach out to people in need is one of the greatest and most loving things we can do for our fellow life travelers. God bless you, Robin, for helping take care of so many people who needed you. And God bless your family. --Russ Kidd