Robert Robert D. Robbins

Background

Robbins was born and raised in the northwestern Pennsylvania borough of Greenville.

Education

He graduated from Greenville High School in 1962 and subsequently entered the United States Military Academy at West Point with the Class of 1966.

Career

After graduation from West Point, Robbins was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army and served two tours in Vietnam as a paratrooper, eventually serving as Company Commander with Doctorate Company, 501st Airborne Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He left the Army in 1971 with an honorable discharge at the rank of captain. Robbins also worked as an insurance agent for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.

In 1990, Robbins ran for State Senate in the 50th Senate District to replace fellow Republican Roy Wilt, who was retiring.

Despite the district"s conservative character, Robbins faced a strong challenge from businessmen and Meadville city Councilman Charles West. Flynn, who hoped to ride the coattails of popular Governor Bob Casey to victory. However, despite Casey"s overwhelming victory over state Auditor General Barbara Hafer, Robbins prevailed, and has faced little serious opposition since.

Robbins rose through the ranks of Senate Republicans to become Majority Caucus Secretary.

Achievements

• In 1982, Robbins won election as a Republican to a Mercer County-based seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and subsequently served four terms in the body.

Membership

He previously served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 17th District from 1983 to 1990. In 2006, he was one of the only members of the Senate leadership to be re-elected after voter anger at the 2005 legislative pay raise knocked out several members of the leadership, including Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer and Senate Majority Leader David J. Brightbill. Robbins currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, and also serves as Chairman of the bipartisan Local Government Commission, Vice Chairman of the Athletic Oversight Committee, and a member of the Keystone State Games Commission.

Connections

teacher:

Greenville High