Larry and son Josh in Puerto Rico Larry Robinson is a Vietnam Veteran

I’d like to start off by saying thank you to all of the service men and women that have put their lives at risk to keep us safe. They endure battle and heartache for their family, your family and my family. I’m sure there isn’t a minute that goes by that their families don’t miss them, but they still proudly wear a uniform for our freedom.

Articles such as these are always troublesome to write as they hit close to home. My little sister, Gessy Lopez, has served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years. We are all very proud of her accomplishments; however, our family has gone ten months without seeing our Marine and unsure when we will get to see her again.

I greatly admire those individuals that have the tenacity and discipline to unite and serve our country. One of those individuals is local aviation pilot, Larry Robinson who I met several years ago at the airport in Port Lavaca. Every time I see him, he is either smiling, singing or telling a joke. Not to mention that he always has a fabulous story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Larry was born in Rock Hill, Illinois on September 17, 1944 to Sara and William Robinson. At the age of seventeen, he joined the U.S. Navy.

Larry served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 – 1981 as Chief Quartermaster on four ships; USS Benner DD 807, USS Galveston CLG3, USS Fechteler DD 870 and USS Bryce Canyon AD 36. The sailor has served three tours in Vietnam, mainly shore bombardment and boarding of suspect vessels. He has lived all over the world: Newfoundland, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Spain and finally settled in Port Lavaca with his wife, Lorrie. The couple met while he was stationed in California in 1965 on Long Beach Naval Base. They married and began a family.

He became a U.S. Navy Harbor Pilot in 1974 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as well served as Harbor Pilot at the U.S. Naval Base Rota in Spain and U.S. Naval Base Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. Larry was qualified to operate or pilot every type of vessel the U.S. Navy had from tug boats to aircraft carriers and obtained U.S. Merchant Marine Masters Unlimited prior to retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1981.

Following the conclusion of his Navy career, he went onto become Master Mariner at the Matagorda Ship Channel Pilots Association. Larry recently retired in September; he was honored for thirty-one years of keeping vessels and the natural environment safe at the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort by the Calhoun Port Authority. I was lucky to attend his retirement party in early September where family and friends gathered to celebrate. In true form the evening ended with Larry singing and dancing with family. The Robinson’s are a large, beautiful family – one couldn’t help but feel the admiration in the room.

Larry earned his private pilot certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at Calhoun Air Center, Calhoun County Airport in February 2010. Larry’s wife, Lorrie, bought him the training package at Calhoun Air Center for Christmas the year prior. Later that year, he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow by the Port Lavaca Rotary Club for his service and support of the community. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for founder, Paul Harris. He founded Rotary International in Chicago in 1905. The Paul Harris Fellow is awarded to individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Paul Harris.

A local personality, he has been an active voice at many of our local community activities where he can be found as the master of ceremonies or the singing entertainment. In 2011, he and Linda Seerden won first place in Dancing with the Stars-Victoria Style with their spectacular fox trot performance. Larry has served in multiple non-profit organizations as well as held title of president of the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce.

I’d like to thank Larry for his service and say that I am very pleased to have met a person that is such a great role model. Larry has redefined the term, “over achiever” all the while with a smile on his face. Till next time, you can catch up with us at Calhoun County Airport, just follow the laughter!