Biography: Surrounded by his family, Dan Reuben Robinson, II, 82, of Little Rock, AR, passed away at his home on Thursday morning, October 6, 2022. Dan was born on March 29, 1940, in Dallas, TX, to the late Reverend Dan R. Robinson and Elizabeth Tench Robinson. Reared in Methodist parsonages as “a preacher’s kid” or “PK,” he learned at an early age how to make good friends quickly and to hold on to those friendships throughout his life.  Moving from Texas to Warren, AR, in the midst of WWII, Dan also spent his growing-up years in Malvern, AR, Crossett, AR and Minden, LA. Graduating from Minden High School in 1958, Dan was a proud member of the 1957 Minden High Crimson Tide state championship football team where he played halfback.
 
College found him at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA for a year before moving on to Ole Miss in Oxford, MS for a year. To access aviation opportunities nearby, Hendrix College in Conway, AR was his chosen residence for the last two years of college leading to graduation in 1962. It was his unique honor to be a member of the last Hendrix Warriors football team before it was disbanded. With his fellow teammates, Dan was instrumental in returning football to Hendrix 53 years later and was there to cheer the opening kick off in the Fall of 2013.  Opportunities to serve and support Hendrix continued until his death. Upon his graduation from Hendrix in 1962, he was commissioned as an officer into the United States Air Force, where he proudly served in the Strategic Air Command in support of Operation Rolling Thunder and other various aerial operations during the Vietnam War. After serving two tours of duty, Dan was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Captain in 1967. Returning to Little Rock, he met and married the sweet and beautiful red head named Marylee Hoover. First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock was the site of their wedding on November 30, 1968 and was officiated by the groom’s father, Rev. Dan Robinson. Their marriage was one to be envied, lasting 53 years until the time of his death.

Upon their marriage, Dan began his long and successful career in real estate. His professional resume lists leadership and principal roles in past real estate companies: Quinn Moore Realtors, Barnes, Quinn, Flake and Anderson, Evergreen Properties, Fausett & Company, and finally Dan Robinson & Associates, Inc. Dan was a natural broker. He loved the feeling of accomplishment when bringing parties together for a mutually beneficial deal. His development fingerprints can be seen across Little Rock, as he was one of the developers and principal owners of One and Two Financial Centers which are located at the intersection of Shackleford and Interstate 630. This original 22-acre property was, in the late 1970’s, the extreme western edge of Little Rock retail and office development. These two office buildings now sit as the gateway to west Little Rock. Dan had a reputation as a genuine and honest broker, always keeping his client’s best interests as his focus while at the same time meeting his personal code of keeping his word and “doing right”. Many real estate colleagues have recently recounted the same phrase, “Dan was one of the good ones”. He was especially proud to have served as president of the Little Rock Board of Realtors in 1976 and as the Arkansas Chapter President of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) in the years 1984, 1985, 1995 and 2000. He was also proud to have achieved his CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member). Dan loved being involved in all things real estate, even studying for the renewal of his real estate license just a week before his death.

While Dan’s professional career was successful and meaningful to him, his Christian faith and family were his top priorities. As a preacher’s kid, who usually lived next door to the church, the Methodist church was also his home. Dan’s life-long dream was to have a family home of his very own (without a parsonage committee!) We always joked that as a preacher’s kid, Dan and his family qualified for and were provided with their own designated pew in the church. True to his upbringing, he came by his servant’s heart honestly and was always an active leader and volunteer in every church in which he was a member. During his early marriage years at First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Dan had on-the-ground involvement in establishing the Child Development Center adjacent to First United Methodist Church.  Later transferring to Pulaski Heights Methodist Church, among his involvements in service were as chairman and member of Stephen Ministry, treasurer of Men Alive, and member of the PHUMC broadcast ministry.
 
One of the highlights of Dan’s life was when his daughter in law’s sister, Dr. Emily Williams, asked Dan to officiate as presiding pastor over her marriage in 2013. Dan quickly figured out how to become qualified by the state as an ordained minister (yes, it can be done), and he prepared for that wedding service more intensely than any real estate exam or college final. From that day on, Emily and her husband Ben, affectionately referred to him as “Brother Dan,” which he absolutely loved.
 
Dan’s family was so important to him. Dan never missed a sporting event, school play, graduation, baptism, engagement party, or other gathering in support of his family members. He always made a point to pause and make everyone aware and focus on the importance of the moment; whether it be a brief history lesson detailing a Thanksgiving holiday origin story, a carefully crafted and meaningful prayer, or just simply send a kind note of encouragement to a daughter-in-law shortly before the birth of one of his seven grandchildren. If you loved one of his family members, Dan loved you. When you were hurting, he hurt with you. What you supported, he supported and consistently encouraged. Dan was a great “life advice” giver (solicited or unsolicited), but more importantly, he was a natural and gifted encourager, often recognizing your capabilities and gifts before you did. He was quick and purposeful to point out these gifts, and his consistent encouragement and guidance to friends and family alike will be what many will remember of him. Dan endured a number of physical health challenges in the last decade of his life, but he never complained. He took on each one with the courage, dignity, and composure that one would expect of a man with his deep faith.  “Faith, Hope, and Love” were three words Dan lived his life by, and we were all the recipient of the “greatest of these”, and that was his love.  

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Dan R. and Elizabeth T. Robinson, and his brother-in-law of 41 years, Pete Hoover. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marylee Lasley Hoover Robinson, and his three sons (and their respective spouses): Dan Reuben Robinson, III (Linda), Lee Gatewood Robinson (Susan), and Gain Lasley Robinson (Donna). Dan is also survived by his sister, Karis Robinson Alderson (Willis), his nephews, Roger Alderson and Michael Alderson; his sister-in-law, Barbara Rogers Hoover, his niece, Josephine Hoover Felton (Daniel), and his seven grandchildren: Sam Cooper Robinson, Katherine Lee Robinson (“Kate”), Stratton Wyatt Robinson, Leighton Lasley Robinson, Dan Reuben Robinson IV (”Q”), Micaela Lucia Tovar Robinson (“Mica”), and Barrett Hazel Robinson.

A memorial service honoring Dan’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow immediately in the gathering hall at the church.  Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Dan’s Sunday school class at Pulaski Heights Methodist Church, the Fathomers.

The family requests that any memorials desired to be given in Dan’s honor be directed to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, benefitting the broadcast ministries- 4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, Hendrix College, benefitting the Athletic Department – 1600 Washington Ave., Conway, AR 72032 and or to the Arkansas Food Bank-4301 W 65th St, Little Rock, AR 72209 in which he proudly served as board member.  Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com