Vernon Oliver Robbins

Nov 8, 1961 -

Apr 28, 2021

With the death of Vernon Oliver Robbins Jr., the world lost a kind, loving man, a master storyteller and a consummate fisherman who left behind his wife, Debbie Robbins, and his children, Archie and Evelyn Robbins, who were the very center of his life.

Vern spent his youth on a cattle ranch in northern California and always had a fishing pole in his hand. He happily wandered the streams and ponds, finding fish where there supposedly were none. During the family's exploratory trip up the Alcan Highway, he announced, "I don't know about you guys; I'm staying in Alaska." And that he did. He was 16 at the time and had just caught his first salmon. He camped, kayaked and fished with many good friends his entire life, spending as much time out in the Alaska wilderness as at home. Vern worked for REI for many years, sharing his knowledge and love of the wilderness with others. Vern was always fascinated by science, but especially marine science. He worked for Kent Erickson in his tropical fish store, Coral Reef, an ideal job for him. They remained lifelong friends. It was there he met his future wife, Debbie Plessinger. Fishing, camping and kayaking were shared passions. Vern and Debbie were married on July 19, 1997, in Resurrection Bay at Caine's Head where a large wedding party camped. Together they had many more outdoor adventures, and had a dog team and a sailboat they loved to take out. Vern was known for catching fish when nobody else was catching them. He would say, "I just know how to think like a fish."

He was close to his nephews, Bobby, Brett and Hunter Woofter, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and shared many of his interests. Vern lived the outdoorsman's life until a severe spinal infection left him a paraplegic for the last 15 years of his life. He bravely endured the pain and difficulty of that situation to be around for his beloved family. He turned to video games and ended up a 15-year Dungeons & Dragons "master," delighting his nephews, children and others who were invited along to gaming parties. He was also a master storyteller, holding a whole room rapt with his dramatic accounts of his adventures in the wild. Vern leaves behind a grieving mother, Dr. Sylvia Condyl and three sisters, Susan and LuciaTappero and Debbie Hunt. His brother, Rhys Tappero; and father, Vernon Robbins Sr., are also deceased. Vern is deeply missed by family and friends.