Ralph, known as Robbie by family and friends, was the son of Anna Hiller and Ralph Carlisle Robinson. He 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 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of Captain. He flew the North American F100 Super Sabre, the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. His time in the USAF was life-changing and his greatest achievement.
Ralph attended the University Of South Carolina School Of Law. After graduation, he began a clerkship with United States District Judge Robert W. Hemphill, after which he entered private practice in Columbia. In 1983 Ralph merged his law practice with Callison Tighe and the firm was named Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC. He stayed with the firm until his retirement. He was known for his expertise in commercial real estate law and is credited with having structured and authored one of the first expandable, air space, right-to-build condominiums under the current Horizontal Property Act.
Ralph was described as an avid reader during his off duty time with a keen interest in Air Power on his Air Force appointment recommendation form. In his later years, he continued his love for reading, military history and was happiest puttering around in his yard.
Left to cherish his memory is 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.
Special thanks goes to the remarkable care team, affectionately called Team Tommie by his children: Tommie, Stacy, Sheena, Alice, and Kyra and others who helped along the way; and also to the Columbia office of MSA Hospice.
A visitation has been scheduled for Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, from 5:00pm-7:00pm.
A graveside service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm in Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia, SC.
Memorials may be made to Veterans Last Patrol, 140 B Venture Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29306; and the Trinity Episcopal Foundation, 1100 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201.