ONEONTA – George Faucett Robinson, 89, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2008 at his home following complications with Alzheimer's.

He was born in Hancock, the son Lyman Tracy and Ruth (Douglass) Robinson.

He married Catherine Little on May 11, 1946 in Jersey City, NJ

He has been a resident of Oneonta for 46 years.

Mr. Robinson was a Physics Professor at the State University College at Oneonta and before that at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he studied. He was member of the Rensselaer Chapter of the Society of the Sigma XI, for his devotion to the promotion of research in science. During World War II, he worked for General Electric on research with other scientists and engineers that led to the deployment of Radar.

For close friends and colleagues, George was known as a very unique person for his many, varied and intense interests that stayed with him until his death. Starting at the young age of 12, when George built his first radio, he has been a passionate hobbyist including but not limited to such pursuits as auto mechanics, model railroading and electronics. Time spent on hobbies was always accompanied with big-band era jazz music from the likes of Eddie Duchin, Ray Noble & Xavier Cugat. George was a voracious reader and watcher of science fiction, western, detective and comedy novels, movies and television shows. Each of George's children and two of his grandchildren were equipped and sent off to college with one of his late model rusted junker hobby cars.

Most notable of George was his love of, respect for and generosity toward his family, neighbors, friends & animals. Not only was his home often filled with family, visitors and a cat or three but also on three occasions with homeless children needing food & shelter.

George would like to be remembered as a person who would never waste money buying a new car, take things too seriously, boast much about pedigree, nor waste too much hobby time mowing his lawn or painting his house.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Robinson of Oneonta; children, Jane Robinson Hobler and her husband, Manfred of Wedemark, Germany, Louise Robinson Nelson and her husband, Eric of Centerville, Ohio, Alice Robinson of Charlottesville, Virginia, Thomas Robinson and his wife, Kim Smithgall of Gansevoort, NY, Margaret (Meg) Robinson of Seekonk, Massachusetts; and Gerald Robinson of Oakland, California; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Robinson.

Calling hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.

A funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008 at the Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joseph Benintende, pastor at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Officiating.

Interment will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Hancock.

On line condolences may be made to www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Expressions of Sympathy may be made to the Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090 or Alzheimer's Association, Northeastern NY Chapter, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12006.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St. in Oneonta, is serving the family.