Richard D. Robinson

Professor emeritus, MIT Born Yakima, WA, 1921. Died September 5, 2009, Gig Harbor, WA.

BA from Univ. of WA 1942; MA Harvard University 1943; PhD MIT in International Management 1963. Foreign correspondent in Middle East, 1947-1956, reporting on Turkish affairs, wrote first account of Palestinian refugee situation published in a major U.S. press. In military government, political intelligence, South Korea, 1945-47, during which time tried to stop deliberate provocation of North Korea by South Korean leadership, which provocation led to Korean War and U.S. intervention. Special studies in London School of Oriental and African Studies in Islamic law and Ottoman history. Taught modern Turkish history at Harvard College, and worked as a research associate at the Harvard Business School researching the decision by U.S. corporations to commit resources to foreign markets.

Taught for 24 years at the Sloan School of Management at MIT, during which time he created the second academic program in the U.S. dealing with international business. Wrote one of the first textbooks in the field and was a founder of the Academy of International Business, serving as its president for one term. Lectured for several years at the Foreign Service Institute in Washington, DC. Author of sixteen books on Turkish economics and history, international management, the occupation of South Korea, international technology transfer, etc, and many articles. Taught for 8 years in the School of Business and Public Administration, University of Puget Sound, as George F. Jewett Distinguished Professor of Business. He was the board chair for the Kluckhohn Center for the Study of Values and the Hamlin Robinson School for Dyslexic children; board member, World Affairs Council of Tacoma; member and former chair of the Institute of Current World Affairs. Lived, taught and did research in 34 countries.

Robinson leaves his wife, Carol, and three children – Linda McCaffrey of Brookfield Center, CT; Kermit Robinson of Hanover, MA; and Wendy Robinson of Bethlehem, NH; five grandchildren and one great grandchild. His children were by his first wife, Elizabeth Ann of Grosse Pointe, MI., who died in 1979. He also leaves six stepchildren – Steven, Shelley, Michael, Terri, Julie, and Eric Schreiber – plus four step grandchildren.

A memorial reception will be held on September 19, 2009 at the family home in Gig Harbor, WA from 1 to 4 pm and on October 2, 2009 in Denver, CO. Donations may be made to the Hamlin Robinson School for Dyslexic Children, Seattle, WA or Minerva Scholarship Fund for deserving women returning to school, PO Box 2705, Gig Harbor, WA, 98335.