Jack B. Robbins, 87, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2010 in Loudoun County, Va.
He was a major general of the U.S. Air Force (retired) and co-founder of Robbins-Gioia Inc. He grew up in New Albany and was for 67 years the devoted husband of Constance Knott Robbins, also of New Albany. Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army reserve in March of 1943.
He was commissioned through the aviation cadet training program and held pilot, navigator and flight engineer ratings. Jack flew the C-119 “Flying Boxcar” during the Korean War. When he retired in 1975, he was the Air Force Director of Data Automation and Commander of the Air Force Data Automation Agency.
On Aug. 1, 1980, Jack and John Gioia formed Robbins-Gioia Inc., a company dedicated to helping manage large projects in the public and private sectors. In 1988, Jack retired from Robbins-Gioia. He served on R-G’s board of directors and as president and member of the Air Force C4 Association.
In 1997, Jack and his wife, Connie, moved from their home in Annandale, Va., to Falcons Landing, a continuing care community in Sterling, Va. There, Jack was an active member of the investment club and the chapel committee and served the community in a variety of volunteer capacities, including dispensing prescription medicines to residents at the on-site pharmacy.
Jack, a 1960 graduate of the University of Alabama, was a generous supporter of the University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences and an avid fan of Crimson Tide Football. He loved his God, his country, his family and his friends.
He lived his life following the principles of integrity, hard work, caring and true friendship. His genuine kindness touched all who knew him.
Jack is survived by his wife Constance, daughter Kittye Delle (Stuart) Robbins-Herring of Starkville; sons Jack Jr. and Paul of Tuscaloosa Ala., and Mark (Grace) of Annandale Va.; grandchildren, Davis (Angela) Herring of Los Alamos N.M., Mary Elizabeth Robbins, a senior at the University of Alabama, and Mark Joseph Robbins of Annandale, Va., as well as many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will take place today from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Loudon Funeral Chapel on Catoctin Circle Southeast in Leesburg, Va.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Falcons Landing Chapel on 20540 Falcons Landing Circle in Sterling, Va. with burial on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: The Jack and Constance Robbins Endowed Scholarship Fund, The University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences, PO Box 870269, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.