W. Bently Robison, 85, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2020. He was surrounded by family at his home in Laramie, Wyoming.
He was born July 26th, 1935 on the family farm in Barnhill, Illinois, to Alice Ann and Joseph Lee Robison.
He graduated from Mills Prairie High School and received a teaching degree from McKendree College. He then earned his Master’s degree from Connecticut Teachers College.
He married the love of his life, Jeanne Marie Parker, on September 25, 1953 in southern Illinois. They moved to New Britain, Connecticut, in 1955. Daughters Mary Beth and Leslie Jeanne were born there in 1955 and 1957. In 1958, they moved back to southern Illinois. There, he taught school while Jeanne stayed home with the children. Son Edmund Lee was born in 1959 and daughter Denise Michele was born in 1963. After several moves around Illinois, they moved to Laramie, Wyoming in 1970 where he taught industrial arts in the College of Agriculture at the University of Wyoming.
In 1971, Bently and Jeanne started the 6K Kandy Ranch and Jeanne received her teaching degree from the University of Wyoming. Wanting to do more for the community, Bently and Jeanne built the roller skating rink, Skyline Skate Ranch in 1973, followed by Oasis Mini Golf in 1976. They both enjoyed providing a place for young and old alike to spend quality time together. Watching the youth of Laramie grow up and become successful individuals in the community brought them so much joy.
Bently and Jeanne were committee members for the reopening of the Territorial Prison and Park in 1990 and also received Business Person of the Year in 1991. They were very active in the community helping with many projects including the DARE program, summer library reading programs, PTA summer recreation program, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Cathedral Home, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and many Skate-A-Thons to raise funds for various local programs.
After retiring from running the skating rink and golf course, Bently continued to work his side business, Video Taping Service, and recorded many local weddings, graduations and family events. Bently and Jeanne remained in Laramie during retirement as Wyoming was their home.
He is survived by his sister, Twyla Stennett; daughters Denise Robison, Mary Donnell (Mike), Leslie (Rick) Talbot; son Ed Robison (Carrie); grandchildren Brittany Foster (Peter), Desiree Lyons (Steven), Forest Harnden, Cody Donnell, Lori Martinez (Branden), Nick Donnell (Erin), Monte Durand, Jamie Durand, Tyler Robison (Amanda) and Parker Robison (Emily); great grandchildren Victoria, Jacquelyn, Finley, Dawsyn, Ryder, Beckett, Maddox, Evelyn, Eleanor, Bridger, Gannon, Gabriel, and Eliana, and many nieces and nephews.
Bently was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, father, mother, three sisters, one brother, and infant grandson, Clayton Durand.
Services are pending at a future date. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Home Instead Senior Care and Hospice of Laramie for their kindness, talents and respect during the time they cared for him. Bently would often jokingly say goodbye by saying “glad you got to see me.” We all were very lucky to visit with him often. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a memorial donation to the Cathedral Home for Children in Laramie, Wyoming or Hospice of Laramie.
W. Bently Robison
21
Oct 20
Print This Obituary
Loved Bentley and Jean.Always two of my favorite people. They helped me raise my children at the roller ranch and frequent Kandy store visits. Truly a community asset and very loved!!
To the Robinson Family. We are so sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathies. Mike and Dianna Schaefer
I am so sorry for the loss of Bently. ❤️ Bently (and Jeanne) were so kind and loving, and I enjoyed my years working for them at Skyline Skate and Oasis Golf in the late 90s. I learned so much from them, including how to smoke out prairie dogs, how to pick choke cherries, how to mow a hill, how to pull thistle, and how to continuously recycle nacho cheese. lol. Bently always made me laugh and had some of the funniest stories to tell. I will never forget the years I was blessed to know him and Jeanne. I really loved seeing the pictures on the slide show. ❤️ My prayers are with you all.
Dear Robison family, I just heard the news and am so sad. The world has lost a wonderful man. Bentley was so loved and I have so many good memories of him. Now he is back together with Jeanne. Bentley, you will be so missed. You were so funny and always made everyone laugh. There are so many things that remind me of you - jokes, frozen pizzas, nacho cheese, tractors, sprinklers, lawnmowers, prairie dogs, choke cherries, pies. I still have my treasured personalized Christmas ornament from a Skyline Skate employee party. You and Jeanne were more than bosses, you were like adopted family to everyone who ever worked for you. The world will be a little dimmer without you Bentley. Love to all your family.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope and pray that your many fond memories of your Dad, Father-in-law, Grandfather will help you through this difficult time. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Love to you all, Donna
So sorry for your loss. Bentley was my first boss and a great mentor. Both Jeanne and Bentley had a great impact on my life and are missed.
We are so sorry for you loss of a special person. We will always remember his great sense of humor and his laugh. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Elena and Marge
Such a good person. Many fond memories when we were all involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters year’s ago. We are so sorry for your loss. Lora and Tom Wesche
Bently & Jean were so nice to our son when he graduated from FCHS and left Fairfield for Wyotech. They treated him like family. My parents were so close to Melba Kincaid and she loved him dearly. Heaven gained a true angel. Sincerely, Mary Jon Lehr. Fairfield Illinois
To All the Robison Family, We have many good memories of time spent with all of you at the skate ranch and oasis golf. I also hold many good memories of working with Leslie at IMH on OB. I will always cherish the memory of holding you and Clayton when he died. Bently, Jeanne and Clayton are all together now helping each of you get through this time of sadness. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my prayers.
Bentley you will be so missed. I loved talking with you when I got to see you. Fly high with the angels until we all see you again.
So sorry for the loss of your father. I always enjoyed his infectious smile.
Robison family, we are sorry for the loss of Bently. We spent many hours at the skate ranch in the company of Bently and Jeanne and loved every minute. They were wonderful people and will be greatly missed.
We are so sad for your loss of Bently. We have fond memories of both Jean and Bently.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all.
To Bently's family, You have are deepest sympathies. We have many wonderful memories of time spent with Bently & Jeanne. Many family get togethers and visits to Laramie. Bently always kept us laughing. He will be missed. Love to all. Gary & Sandy Wilson