Joseph W. Robbins' Obituary
Joseph Witter Robbins, 75, of Frederick, MD, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 16, 2023.
He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on Aug 26, 1947. He was the son of the late Terry Edwin Robbins and Mary Elizabeth Engle Robbins of Westminster, MD. He was the married to his beloved wife Janice McCleaf Robbins for 45 years, who passed away on Jan 1, 2020. He is survived by his daughter Karren Robbins and stepdaughter Jamie Fritz of Frederick. He has three grandsons, Rick Young Jr, Brandon Fritz, and Shawn Wetzel and five step great grandchildren, Remy Young, Bentley Wetzel, Wyatt Fritz, Blake Wetzel and Everly Wetzel. Joe is also survived by his three brothers: Twin brother, John Michael Robbins and wife Georgia of Westminster, Md, David G. Robbins and wife Shelva of Westminster, MD. and Robert E. Robbins and wife Debra of Smyrna, Delaware.
Joe grew up in Westminster, MD, along with 3 brothers, and attended local schools. After high school, he went for training in upholstering and worked at Goodwill Industries for
about 10 years, where he met and married Janice. He later worked in the plumbing trade and
ended his work career in 2014 as a civilian contractor in the recycling unit at Ft. Detrick, MD.
Joe comes from a family of Scouters. Both of his parents and three brothers were involved in Boy Scouting program. He loved exploring and cherished his time in the outdoors for 67 years as a member and leader of the Boy Scouts of America. He started his scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 762 in Westminster, Md, earning his Arrow of Light, participated in every camping/hiking experience to earn the rank of Life in Troop 321, Westminster, and continued his adult scouting career in Carroll District, and with Troop 799 and Francis Scott Key District in Frederick Md.
Although he never earned the rank of Eagle, due to a physical disability that hindered his ability to earn the Lifesaving merit badge, he assisted in over 50 different Eagle Projects. As an Assistant Scoutmaster, he was the trainer in outdoors skills, especially Wood tools (knife and ax training) for the youth and adult leaders for Francis Scott Key District. He was a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, earned his Wood Badge beads as a member of the Beaver Patrol, and completed National Outdoor training certification in Pioneering. His most cherished accomplishments were climbing all 46 peaks in the Adirondack Mountains (upper NY state) and hiking on a trek in 2000 at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Besides being able to out hike any youth or adult that accompanied him on his many hikes, he was an accomplished canoeist on many lakes/rivers in the U.S. and Canada and biked on many trails in Maryland. He participated 37 times as a Wood tools trainer and cook crew in FSK District training of adult leaders, volunteered 47 times as a Goshen Bear for the Marriott Scout Camp In VA, was on the cook staff many times at Camp Airy, Thurmont, MD. and many other scouting events.
In the last few years, he enjoyed attending live musical concerts at the different Frederick theatres. He enjoyed all types of music, especially Celtic music with bagpipes. In the summer of 2022, he started attending the Frederick Drum Circle every Tuesday. He learned to use a mallet, which he actually made himself, to bring out the drumbeats on a hand drum.
Joe was a quiet man with a generous heart. He was like a dad or favorite uncle to so many youths and adults who had the privilege to spend time with him in and out of scouting.
His is love of the Creator was through nature. He would always say that he communed with God and being in nature was his Church. The family requests that you take a walk in the woods every chance you get and know that Joe will be right there with you.
Joe will be dearly missed by his Scouting family, especially his scouting sister, Debra Ousse.
A Celebration of Life will be determined at a later date. Please leave a message or memory on his tribute wall at Resthaven.us
Donations to be used to support a Joe Robbins Campership Fund that will be available to FSK Scouts BSA members and administered by Venture Crew 758 BSA –
Checks payable: Venture Crew 758 BSA
Mail to: Venture Crew 758 BSA
c/o Diane Henson
216 Norva Ave
Frederick, MD 21701
Please designate Joe Robbins Donation on the memo line
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