Richard Darryl ‘Rick’ Robbins passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the age of 57.
Rick was the son of the late John and Stella Amelia (Schuler) Robbins.
Beloved spouse of Lily Sands.
Loving father of Naomi Elizabeth, John Robbins, McKenzie Sands, Jagger Sands, Jaxon Sands and Jentzen Sands.
Brother of Tony Robbins (Janice), Rhonda Nussey, Brenda Kelly (Bill), Mona Anderson (Mark), Lorrie Koekhuyt (Ken), Chris Robbins (Lisa), Elise Robbins, Nicole Brajak (Mike) and Shannon St. Pierre (Jamie).
He was a dear uncle to many nieces and nephews and extra special and loved son-in-law and friend of Ellis Jean Sands.
Rick had many aunts, uncles, extended family, fraternity brothers and countless friends he adored.
Rick Robbins, a man of many talents, graduated the University of Windsor with a BA in Communication Studies and a degree in Human Resources Management from Lambton College of Applied Arts & Sciences.
His curiosity and expertise led to numerous positions in fields of First Nation governance.
He was a Consultant with the Ontario Power Authority, Ministry of the Environment, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
Rick worked with the DreamCathchers Foundation, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, Northern Telecom, The Niagara
Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board (NPAAMB) and Southern First Nations Secretariat (SFNS).
Most recently, Rick worked with Walpole Island First Nation in various departments: Employment and
Training Program, Governance Building as the Human Resources Officer, Three Fires Development
Corporation as Director and also sat on the Board of Directors.
Rick travelled working extensively with many Indigenous communities across Canada.
In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors and sports.
He shared his love of fishing, boating, skating, swimming, golfing, cooking, reading, gardening, and planning birthday parties for his children.
Rick loved spending time with his many nieces and nephews.
His caring and his many contributions to people and communities, his voice for the Indigenous people and his embracing all ethnicities will forever resonate.
Rick was brilliant, fun-loving and always quick to lend an ear, a voice of encouragement or a helping hand.
Ricks message to us today is: Always think the best of people and to Have a good mind.
Love others as God loves.Family visiting will be held from 2-4 PM with community visiting from 6-8 PM on Thursday, August 11 at the HAYCOCK-CAVANAGH FUNERAL HOME, 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg.
The funeral will be celebrated at the Walpole Island Sports Complex on Friday, August 12 at 1 PM.
Interment to follow at Highbanks Cemetery. Reception to follow the Interment at the Walpole Island Sports Complex.
Shared stories and tributes may be left on Rick’s tribute wall at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca.
