Arthur James Robinson, Jr., affectionately known to family and friends as Art, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, at the age of 90. Born in St. Augustine, Florida on July 13, 1936, Art lived a long, fulfilling life defined by his kindness, intellect, and unwavering devotion to his family.

He was the cherished only child born to Dr. Arthur James "AJ" Robinson, Sr., a dedicated physician, and Jennie Stewart Robinson, a passionate music teacher. Growing up in a household centered on education, compassion, and artistic expression, Art inherited a unique blend of scientific curiosity and musical talent that would define his life's journey.

As a youngster, Art attended the prestigious Palmer Memorial Institute, a historic private boarding school in North Carolina for African Americans. It was during these formative years that he truly began to grow into manhood, adopting the nickname Robby among his peers. Reflecting his parents' profound influences, he was exceptionally studious, athletic, and musical at Palmer. He developed a deep interest in the sciences, while also showcasing his talents in music and excelling physically as a competitive swimmer and wrestler. Most significantly, his time at Palmer introduced him to June Tremmel Mitchell, who would later become his wife.

Following his graduation from Palmer, Art enrolled in Lincoln University, where his passion for learning continued to thrive. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at Lincoln and proudly pledged the Epsilon Chapter of his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, forming bonds of brotherhood that lasted a lifetime. Upon graduating from Lincoln University, Art was drafted into the United States Army, where he honorably served his country by utilizing his scientific background as a Chemist. After completing his military service, Art moved to Washington, D.C., where he and June married and began their life together. They were blessed with two sons, Arthur James Robinson III (affectionately known as Tiger) and Michael Shelley Robinson. They As June and Art raised their lovely family together, they filled their home with activity, sharing a vast array of vibrant hobbies. Art passed his passions down to his sons, and together as a family, they enjoyed biking, karate, photography, playing chess, and practicing musical instruments. Art especially loved playing golf and tennis alongside his sons, fostering a lifelong shared love for sports, friendly competition, and deep family bonding.

During his time in Washington, Art also built a distinguished career working for the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Driven by a deep commitment to fairness and equity, he made a lasting impact at the NIH by helping to develop its Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) program, paving the way for greater diversity and workplace advocacy. Though Art and June later divorced, life brought a beautiful second chapter. Art found love again with his childhood sweetheart, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole. Upon their marriage, they joyfully blended their families into a household of five sons. Art relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he continued his career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Embracing his love for sports and community mentorship, he also coached the Spelman College Tennis Team. Ever dedicated to personal growth, Art went back to school in his spare time, earning a master’s degree in library sciences from Clark Atlanta University. He also dedicated himself to empowering the next generation as an active member of the 100 Black Men service organization. Together, Art and Johnnetta shared a deep passion for global exploration, traveling the world side by side, meeting dignitaries and leaders and seeking social justice and equality for all. While a second divorce would discourage many, Art possessed a resilient, joyful spirit. He returned to his childhood home of Florida, building a new, deeply loving community in Palm Coast, Florida. A lifelong athlete, Art played golf
and tennis daily. His golf game was legendary among his peers—the beloved "Red Shirts” who would frequently encourage his exceptional talent, even suggesting he join the Senior PGA Tour. Art would often share that his lifelong passion for golf began in his youth, deeply rooted in his father’s legacy of community advocacy. Although Dr. AJ Robinson, Sr. held rare privileges at white-only golf courses, he deeply desired for other people of color to enjoy the game as much as he did. Driven by this vision, his father purchased a local park in the city of Lumberton, North Carolina and created the Meadowlark Golf Course. It was on these very grounds that Art learned to play the game as a child, sparking a love for the sport that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

His commitment to service never wavered either; Art served faithfully on the Vestry of Christ the King Anglican Church, where he notably helped spearhead the purchase of a school bus to provide vital transportation for the church's adult and youth programs. After 20 wonderful years in Florida, Art returned to the Washington, DC area to live in Columbia, Maryland, to be closer to his family. Though he initially planned to live with his son Tiger and his daughter-in-law Luzi, Art's vibrant, extroverted nature and fierce desire for independence and community led him to the Brightview Independent Living Community in Columbia, MD. At Brightview, Art became a cornerstone of the community, participating
actively in the Men’s Group and surrounding himself with new friendships. Channels of his mother's musical gift shone brightly once again as he served as an occasional soloist with the Brightview Resident Chorus. His big, magnetic personality and genuine love for everyone he met—residents and staff alike—endeared him deeply to his community, leading many to affectionately call him the "Mayor of Brightview." He spent his final days continuing to live life to the absolute fullest, surrounded by warm friendships and laughter.

Art was predeceased by his parents, AJ and Jennie, and his cousins Rudolph Gordon and Cecily Miles Slater. He was also closely followed in death by his cousin, Dr. Carlotta Miles, affectionately known as “Buff”, who was like a sister to him and passed away just a few short weeks after his departure. Art’s remarkable legacy is carried on by his sons, Tiger and Michael; his beloved daughter-in-law, Luzmila “Luzi” Robinson; his cherished grandsons, Reinaldo “Rey”, Arthur IV “Robby”, and Stephen; and his loving cousins, Angela Witherspoon, Elbert Robinson, Theodore “Tony” Miles, Esq. (husband of the late Dr. Carlotta Miles), Dr. Wendell and Ann Miles, and Scott and Lydia Logan. He will also be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his extended family, Eileen Fleckenstein, Gloria Malmore, Richard Ackerman, Diane Evanac, Craig and Jennie Garris,
Kylie Rae Dodd, and Judy Blumenthal, as well as his fraternity brothers and the countless friends he made across every chapter of his journey. Art leaves behind a beautiful blueprint of a life lived with magnetic presence, incredible talent, and a brilliant, independent spirit that he maintained throughout his extraordinary 90 years.

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Chapter of Initiation: Epsilon (1955)