Patrick M. Robinson

It is difficult to reconcile the sentiment, ‘he’s in a better place’ when a loved one passes; because for a husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, there is no better place than with your family.

Yet, as he often did in life, Patrick Michael Robinson of Corvallis, Montana, bridged two incongruent sentiments on June 25, 2026 at 7:14PM, as he passed into peace and everlasting rest. He was lovingly ushered into the arms of the Lord by his family, singing the mysteries of the rosary—as (we pray) he would have wanted.

Patrick was born to George and Nora Robinson in Detroit, Michigan in 1956. He joins them and his brother, Robert, in passing. He is survived by his wife, Desiree (Dey) Robinson; his children: Deonah Smith, Katie Robinson, Gerard Robinson, and Josh Robinson; his siblings: Ruthie Champine and Tom Robinson; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

To those that knew him, Patrick was a man of deeply-held convictions and passions. Most notable amongst them was his Catholic faith. Indeed, enough cannot be said of how faith bolstered his resiliency in times of hardship and affliction—and he was chosen by God to bear many.

Strong of will and passionate in faith as he was, he nonetheless relied on the strength of his wife, Dey, to help shoulder his earthly trials. In his final days, he joyfully renewed the Sacrament of Marriage with her, their children as witness.

Patrick was passionate about his career as a registered nurse. He had an impressive recall of medical knowledge and an extensive curriculum vitae. He served in the emergency room, the ambulance, the open-heart unit, and as a helicopter flight nurse. He founded Home Health Professional Services, was an RN at Glacier National Park, and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation where his career was cut short by a debilitating accident.

He was a woodworker. No, a furniture maker...perhaps an artist, because his pieces are immaculate and heirloom quality. Passion and intensity often work ‘hand in glove’, and ‘intense’ is an apt descriptor of his affinity toward woodworking. If anything could occupy his mind—aside from his faith—it would be the making of something elegant.

As a hunter, he could ‘read’ the woods and had a knack for finding ideal game habitat; as a marksman, he could shoot the wings off a gnat. Like so many of his passions, his interests took the form of the minutiae; rendering him equally interested in harvesting game as he was in reloading ammunition.

Finally, and importantly: he made things special; and it’s often the small things. A truck ride in the woods, a unique home-cooked dinner, time spent in the wood shop, or something as simple as his smile. At Christmas, it was hand-made bows, ornaments made by woodburning the tree’s trunk, and family drives to admire the lights. You made a lot of things special, dad.

A service was held on July 3 at Saint Francis Church in Hamilton, MT. A celebration of life will be held in November, to commemorate his birthday. Event details TBD.