Benjamin Pendegrass Robinson, Jr.

Benjamin Pendergrass Robinson, Jr., 83, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City, NC. He was the son of the late Benjamin Pendergrass Robinson, Sr. and Dorothy Gandy Robinson. Born in Florence, SC, he traveled the world and in retirement, moved from his home in Fairbanks, AL to the mountains of North Carolina.

After attending the University of South Carolina, Ben joined the United States Army and was an active-duty soldier for 8 years with the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam earning numerous medals and awards. His fellow soldiers welcomed his calm leadership which by all accounts saved many lives. He was a world traveler, spending 11 years traversing Europe and Latin America including the Panama Canal. He visited England and Germany, motoring through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, then down to Algiers. After his years in the Army and abroad, he put his airborne experience to use as a smokejumper with the US Dept. of the Interior in Alaska.  Ben won about 15 acres of land in the “last great land rush” above Fairbanks, Alaska, and hand built his own home. He spent winters in warmer climes such as Mexico and one year on his sailboat docked in Florida.

In addition to his parents, Ben was predeceased by his beloved sister, Ann Robinson Maxwell. He is survived by his brother-in-law, James David Maxwell, many cousins, steadfast Tryon friends, and his loyal dog, Luna, affectionately known as Ben’s “Sweet Girl”.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital and at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills for the loving care they provided Ben during his stay.

Memorial donations can be made to the Foothills Humane Society, 989 Little Mountain Road, Columbus NC 28722 or Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City, NC at www.hpcffoundation.org.

Sanders Funeral Home.

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