- — Dr. Lavan Ray Robinson, VSU Professor Emeritus of Music, 93, of Valdosta, died on Monday, June 4, 2012, at Langdale Hospice House. Born in Bernice, La., on Dec. 30, 1918, he was the son of the late Zeb and Addie Tucker Robinson. Youngest of two brothers and a sister, Lavan was born into a musically talented family with music deeply rooted in the local culture and family lifestyle as evidenced by their dedication to music in school and worship. He received his High School diploma in 1937, and then completed his degree in Music Education at Louisiana Tech in 1941. In January 1942, Lavan entered military service and was assigned, after extensive training, as a foot soldier to the Black Hawk Infantry Division. Black Hawk Division was committed to combat in Europe and was assigned to Patton’s 3rd Army and later to 7th Army. When the war ended in Europe, he was re-assigned to the 9th Infantry regimental unit stationed in Dachau Concentration Camp to police the compound and assist the living and to bury the hundreds of dead. His unit went on to supply medicine, food and military security to the camp and then later to the War Crimes Trials held there.

Lavan returned Stateside in the spring of 1946, and began his career as a music minister at First Baptist Church in Ruston, La. He resumed his educational pursuits in 1948, at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, joining Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Beta Omega) on Oct. 24, 1948, and completing his M.B. and M.M. degrees in Vocal Performance in 1950. His first teaching appointment was at Hinds College, Raymond, MS in 1950. He taught theory, voice and choral activities there until 1952. In the fall of 1952, he accepted a position which included Director of the Chapel Choir, with Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA. In March of 1958, Lavan married Janet Louise Rohrbach, then secretary to the University President. Janet, an outstanding member of Sigma Alpha Iota, continued unflagging service to the organization at both local and national levels.

In 1960, the Robinsons relocated to Valdosta State College where Lavan became an associate professor. He continued to teach voice, and had an active involvement in the National Association of Teachers of Singing. He also taught voice pedagogy and appeared in solo recitals each year as guest soloist in oratorio and opera, often with his wife, Janet at the piano. He is remembered for his Valdosta State College musical productions, “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “LaServa Padrona,” “The Telephone,” “Joan of Arc,” “Little Mary Sunshine,” “Godspell,” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” and his dramatic role as Dr. Einstein in “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

In 1970, the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha was begun at VSC. Lavan served intermittent terms as Faculty Advisor until his retirement in 1985. He was also appointed province governor by National President Maurice Laney to newly created Province 36. Afterwards, he was re-appointed governor by each of the three consecutive national presidents — Dederer, Hause, and Crosby.

Being a Sinfonian through the years added a certain balance to Dr. Robinson’s professional life. Until his passing, Dr. Robinson proudly served his fraternity as the oldest living Sinfonian. He was given a singular honor by his beloved music fraternity, a title created especially for him, Governor Emeritus, which was awarded for the first time to any member. In addition to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Music Fraternity, Life Member, he was active in Phi Kappa Lambda, the National Association of Teachers of Singing in America, Music Teachers National Association, American Association of University Professors, Lafayette Lodge of Free Masons, Selinsgrove, Pa., and Sigma Alpha Iota, Friend of the Arts.  

Over the years, Dr. Robinson served many churches as Choirmaster, Choir Director and Minister of Music, including University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge; Trinity Lutheran Church, Selinsgrove, Pa.; Lee Street Baptist Church, Valdosta; Christ Episcopal Church, Valdosta and Monte Sano Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and served on the commission on Liturgy for the Diocese of Georgia. In 1985, Dr. Robinson became a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church of Valdosta, where he also served as choir master.

Survivors are his wife, Janet of Valdosta; nephews, Jerry Strahan of Cotton Valley, La., and Kevin Rambin of Shereveport La.; nieces, Gayle Gordon of Shreveport, La., Sandy Smith of Ft. Smith, Ark., Karen Jones of Bernice, La., Renee Peyton of Jena, La., Shielah Gosling of West Melborne, Fla.; and a great-nephew, Michael Strahan of Vietnam, as well as many other close friends and family.

Funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Friday, June 8, 2012, at 2 p.m. The Very Rev. Denise Ronn, Ph.D., will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service in the Parish Hall of Christ Episcopal Church. A private committal will be held for the family at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lavan R. Robinson Memorial Music Scholarship, c/o. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia - Zeta Gamma Chapter Fine Arts Building, 1500 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31698 or St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 3565 Bemiss Road, Valdosta, GA 31605. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralcares.com. — Carson McLane Funeral Home