William G. Robinson

William G. "Bill" Robinson, 79 born in Manilla, IN passed away Friday, April 27. His career of 40 years included executive positions with Cessna Aircraft Company, Beech Aircraft Corporation and Bombardier Aerospace (Learjet). He graduated with a journalism major from Butler University in Indianapolis. A veteran of the US Air Force, he served in the Panama Canal Zone as executive editor of a command-wide newspaper later serving as a public relations officer at McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita. He joined Cessna in 1955 to handle public relations eventually serving as director of corporate public relations for the company. Bill joined Beech Aircraft in 1970, retiring in 1985 as vice president of corporate public relations to become vice president of corporate affairs at Learjet which was headquartered at the time in Tucson. He returned to Wichita in 1987 when Learjet consolidated its manufacturing operations there. Bill retired from Learjet in 1993 and was honored at a dinner in France held during the Paris Air Show attended by long-time industry friends, including the editors and publishers of the world's major aviation publications. Following his retirement he was a consultant to the National Institute of Aviation Research at Wichita State University and Swearingen Aircraft in San Antonio. He also was active in the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita/Sedgwick County Partnership for Growth, Botanica and other civic organizations. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by wife Donna, daughters Cameron Robinson, Tucson, Tracy Merriman, Wichita, son Drew Robinson (Jill), Colorado Springs, Susan (Jeff) Botkin, Sara (Scott) Cook and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be Wednesday, May 2, 11:00 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka. Memorial contributions may be sent to Midland Care Services, 200 SW Frazier Cr, Topeka, KS 66604. To leave a special message online, visit www.penwellgabel.com.