In Memoriam: Ralph C. “Robbie” Robinson, Jr.
Callison Tighe mourns the loss of its longtime member, Ralph C. Robinson, Jr., affectionately known to all as “Robbie.” Robbie merged his practice with Callison & Tighe in 1983, and the firm’s name was changed to Callison Tighe & Robinson, the name it bears proudly today. Robbie’s practice focused on commercial real estate development. He was known as a scholar and one of the premier practitioners in the field.
Robbie grew up in Columbia and attended Dreher High School, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. He graduated in 1957 from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Business Administration. While an undergraduate at USC, Robbie was a member of the University’s Air Force ROTC unit. After graduating, Robbie spent the next six years on active duty, flying the North American F100 Super Sabre, the first U.S. Air Force fighter capable of sustained supersonic speed in level flight.
On his release from active duty, Robbie returned to Columbia and attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was a member of the South Carolina Law Review. After graduation, he served as law clerk to the Hon. Robert W. Hemphill, United States District Court Judge.
“Robbie was a pillar of the legal community, and a great partner and friend,” said Mike Tighe, founding member of Callison Tighe & Robinson. “He was an outstanding lawyer, the definition of a ‘lawyer’s lawyer’.” Added current Managing Member, Rick Detwiler, “Robbie was a brilliant attorney, but more than that, he was much-loved. He was a man of few words who had a delightful, wry sense of humor. He left an indelible mark on all of us who worked with him.”
Surviving to cherish Robbie’s memory are his wife of 59 years, Elyce Powell Robinson; his sons, Ralph C Robinson, III (Samantha) and Heyward Elliott Robinson (Lee); daughter Sarah Lyles (Morris); grandsons Elliott, Matthew, Carlisle, and Alexander; granddaughters Elyce, Sadie and Allison; brothers Frank Elliott Robinson II (Francis), John Heyward Robinson; sister Bettie Anna Seibels (Grenville); and his nieces and nephews.