Joseph Francis Robinson

Joseph Francis Robinson, 77, passed away Saturday August 24th at University of Michigan Hospital with the love of his life by his side. He was a longtime resident of Lawton, Michigan having served as their Chief of Police.

Joe was born February 24th, 1947, and raised in Dowagiac, Michigan where he worked on his aunt’s dairy farm and graduated from Union High School in 1965. 

Shortly after high school, Joe started working at Kawneer Corporation as a project manager for commercial construction. In 1974, Joe graduated from Southwestern Michigan College with a degree in Nursing and spent many years working in the emergency departments of local hospitals eventually becoming house supervisor at Watervliet Community Hospital and as the Director of Nursing at Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw. Joe maintained an active RN license, working part-time, through 1990. 

In the late 1970’s, Joe became a police officer in Van Buren County working alongside his brother Dan for 2 years. In 1980, Joe joined the Lawton Police Department and became the Chief of Police in 1984, serving in that role until his retirement in 2002. 

Upon retirement, Joe and Deb moved to Jacksonville, Florida where they made many trips to Key West, St. Augustine, and Joe’s favorite little wildlife park, Homosassa Springs. Joe and Deb returned to Michigan in 2012, settling just outside of Ann Arbor. 

Joe had a love for sports cars, dogs, fishing, photography, the Florida Keys, and Michigan Wolverines football. Joe was very much known by his family for his ability to cook tasty and hearty meals and baked goods.

Joe is survived by his wife Deborah of Ann Arbor, MI, brother Daniel (Samantha) of Jacksonville, FL, daughter Jamie (Jason) Spenner of Berrien Springs, MI, sons Tyler of Paw Paw, MI and Chris (Lauren) of Wilmington, NC, and grandchildren Madison, Olivia, Eli, Ian, Elena and Matthew.

His son Joseph, mother Mary and father Francis preceded him in death.

At Joe’s request, cremation has taken place and no services are being planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.