Dr. Richard Bailey Robins passed away at home in Virginia Beach, with his family at his side, on September 12, 2026, at the age of 90. Dick was born on May 21, 1936, in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Helen Bailey Robins and Clinton Howard Robins.
He graduated from Maury High School before attending Randolph Macon College. From there, he graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1961 and completed a residency in general surgery at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, followed by a residency in Otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at the University of Virginia. He married Patsy Frasher of Waynesboro, Virginia, in 1961, his wife of 45 years.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 through 1968, where he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Virginia was always home, and he returned in 1968 with his family, practiced medicine in Newport News for 39 years, and was very active in the community. As a physician, he was passionate about helping others and combined his medical professionalism with a gracious bedside manner. He loved the clinical practice of his medical specialty and was passionate about helping patients. He went on several medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic and was an active volunteer at the Lackey Health Clinic in retirement. He was deeply committed to education, serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and other teaching roles at the University of Virginia Medical School for over 40 years—an experience he described as one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. His character and professional excellence made him an inspiration and role model to many who knew him.
Dick grew up with his older brother, Howard, and a close group of friends in the Edgewater section of Norfolk. Dick loved being outdoors and enjoyed the beach, gardening, boating, fishing, and hunting waterfowl. Golf, however, remained a favorite pursuit. He notched his career-best rounds at the Old Course at St. Andrews and the Augusta National and loved the camaraderie and friendships that he made through the sport. He hunted waterfowl throughout the Americas and enjoyed watching many sunrises with friends and his son in fields, marshes, and duck blinds across many beautiful and remote places. He also loved spending time on the beach and the coast, making a lifetime of memories with family and friends at Sandbridge, Virginia; Beaufort, South Carolina; Cape May, New Jersey; and on trips to coastal New England. Close relationships with friends and family were always central to his travels and pastimes.
He married Goree Watson Dunlap in 2010, and they were married for 16 years until his passing. In 2020, Dick and Goree moved to Virginia Beach to be near his son, Rick, and his family, where they remained very close, and he presided over a highly productive garden that enhanced family dinners every week. He was committed to his Christian faith and was a member of Williamsburg Community Chapel for over 20 years before moving to the beach, where he was a regular attender at Galilee Episcopal Church and enjoyed the fellowship at the men’s prayer breakfast.
Dick was widely loved and respected by his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Patsy, and his brother, Howard. He is survived by his wife, Goree; his son, Rick (Ruth); and grandchildren, Evelyn and Tripp. He is also survived by stepchildren, Katie Johnston (Greg), Josh Dunlap (Charity), and Laurel Dunlap; and grandchildren, Alyssa, Ben, Julia, Emma, Savannah, Tim, Eli, Rowan, Isaac, Adrian, Naomi, and seven great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News.
A memorial service will be held at Galilee Episcopal Church, 3928 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach, on Friday, September 25, at 11 a.m. with a reception following. The memorial service will be livestreamed at www.galileechurch.net
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lackey Clinic, 1620 Old Williamsburg Road, Yorktown, VA 23690; lackeyclinic.org
18 Comments
Dick was a golfing buddy plus soooo much more. He always helped if there was a medical question. I’ve missed Dick from our golfing trips & seeing him at JRCC. Truly one of the nicest gentleman you could meet. I will surely miss Dick, but knowing he will be looking down on us!
Unfortunately, I’m traveling back from St Louis on the 24th. Thank You
Ken Moran
I only got to know Dick and Goree within the past couple of years through a Bible study group at Galilee Episcopal. He reminded me of my Dad who was also a physician (and a MCV alumnus) because he was a true southern gentleman and a man of faith. He and Goree were such a loving couple and I will truly miss him at Bible study.
I had the extreme pleasure of working with Dr. Robins at the Lackey Clinic for several years and I can say without reservation that he was a wonderful, caring, and compassionate physician whose extraordinary godly character was always on display. He loved the Lord and loved his profession of caring for his patients with grace and dignity and a wealth of knowledge, always dispensed with humility. In him, God created a gentleman to the core, and all who knew and loved him will forever be blessed in knowing him! Godspeed, Dr. Robins. You have earned your angel wings❤️
I worked with Dr. Robins for many years at RRMC in pediatrics and then in the OR. He was one of the finest surgeons as well as a kind and caring man. I never once heard him raise his voice! A pleasure to work with. RIP🙏🏻
I’ve known Dr Robins for most of my life. My mom (Eleanor Rose) was his surgical scrub nurse & office nurse for 30+ years. I worked as receptionist at his office for a short while after highschool. I always enjoyed knowing him. I ran into him & Goree at Walmart one time… That was sweet.
I’m hoping the & my parents have reconnected in heaven by now. She’d be tickled.
Blessings to Rick & Ruth & the kids.
Doctor, gentleman, Christian, “podge”‘to his golfing buddies, friend, role model and one in a million. We are better for having known him and will miss him.
“Doc” was an incredible human being and a tremendous friend. I have such wonderful memories of our time trading life stories, playing golf together and spending many hours on the golf practice range together seeking the elusive secret to a golf swing that could land us on the senior PGA tour (in our dreams).
As a devout Christian and good and faithful servant of the lord, he embodied the fruits of the spirit that we all aspire to.
Along with the many other friends he made in this life on earth, I will miss him dearly and I look forward to the day we meet again in heaven and tee it up once more.
I admired this good man immensely. Dick was the epitome of a great human being…. successful in life as a highly regarded doctor, demonstrating his love of God in the way he lived, committed to his family, country, profession, and community, and a talented sportsman. He called me “Mr Fluvanna” ( my early hometown) through which he travelled weekly as a renowned professor at UVA’s School of Medicine.
Judy and I express our heartfelt condolences to Goree, Rick, and the Robins’ family and pray you are experiencing God’s sustaining grace in a powerful way at this time.
Dick was a wonderful human being and a wonderful doctor. He treasured his family, community , and his God. I remember him and Patsy from the Hampton Roads Academy days and how kind they were to Stephanie and me through the years. Rick was always so special to our family.
I send hugs and prayers to Rick and his family and have spent the time since I heard this news recalling what an impact he made on so many.
Rest in peace. A journey well travelled.
DeRonda Short
Stephanie Hudgins Sipe, Harrison and Chloe
Dr. Robins was a skillful surgeon who 50 years ago performed oral surgery on my Grandfather (Charlie Coates, Sr.) reconstructing him a new lower lip for he had oral cancer, this surgery extended his quality of life for the next five years. May Dr. Robins rest in peace, knowing that his contribution in the medical field was much appreciated through his work.
How I wish I could of gotten to know more about your husband. He was a Christian man and a true gentleman. His knowledge about particular Civil war soldiers amazed me! I am so blessed to know him for such a short time. The Soul departed in the Lord does not die–it returns to God who is the Giver of Life. Hallelujah! Amen!
Dr. Robins was such a terrific Gentleman. I had lost touch with him sadly after I left JRCC. Dr. Robins was my Doctor but also called him a friend. I was fortunate to give him quite a few golf lessons, not that he needed them but he loved to tell stories while we worked on his golf game. Dr. Robins took great pride in telling me stories about hunting and fishing trips, also telling me about his son Rick and if I recall correctly his fishing. Our son just started his Junior year at Randolf Macon and on the golf team, I’m sure Doctor would have had that huge grin knowing that.
Dr Robins was a very special man and doctor. Never did he see you that he had a great smile and wonderful caring personality. So very well thought of and will surely be missed by so many. May he Rest in peace and will definetly missed by everyone’s life he touched.
Dick and I both went to Randolph Macon College. Dick was a great friend and Doctor. I have never met someone who defined the meaning of a gentleman more than Dick. I will miss seeing him at JRCC. May he rest in peace.
Dr. Robins was one of the finest persons that I’ve met. Professionally, he was an outstanding otolaryngologist. Due to his stature in that field of medicine, he was selected as a Guest Examiner by the American Board of Otolaryngology. In that capacity, he participated in the oral examination of applicants seeking board certification in otolaryngology in a specific year. That prestigious achievement is usually reserved for otolaryngologists at academic institutions, not for physicians in private practice, such as Dr. Robins.
For many years, he regularly traveled to Charlottesville to teach UVa medical students and resident doctors training in otolaryngology. His teaching was very much appreciated.
He also participated in medical missions to perform ear surgery on needy patients in the Dominican Republic. There, he became friends for life with an otolaryngologist from the Dominican Republic, Dr. Roberto Batista.
I feel honored to have known Dick Robins. He was one of those individuals who enrich the lives of those around them. I am sad that we were out of state at the time of his memorial service. My wife & I send heartfelt condolences to his family.
PS He played a mean game of golf!
Dr. Robins was one of the finest persons that I’ve met. Professionally, he was an outstanding otolaryngologist. Due to his stature in that field of medicine, he was selected as a Guest Examiner by the American Board of Otolaryngology. In that capacity, he participated in the oral examination of applicants seeking board certification in otolaryngology in a specific year. That prestigious achievement is usually reserved for otolaryngologists at academic institutions, not for physicians in private practice, such as Dr. Robins.
For many years, he regularly traveled to Charlottesville to teach UVa medical students and resident doctors training in otolaryngology. His teaching was very much appreciated.
He also participated in medical missions to perform ear surgery on needy patients in the Dominican Republic. There, he became friends for life with an otolaryngologist from the Dominican Republic, Dr. Roberto Batista.
I feel honored to have known Dick Robins. He was one of those individuals who enrich the lives of those around them. I am sad that we were out of state at the time of his memorial service. My wife & I send heartfelt condolences to his family.
PS He played a mean game of golf!
I miss him
Dr. Robins was one of the finest physicians I have ever known. He had wonderful relationships, skills, manners, generosity with everyone! I feel honored to have known and worked with him.