Decades’ worth of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) alumnus are mourning the loss and celebrating the life of a trailblazing former coach and teacher.

Former Fair Havenite and RFH gym and health teacher and field hockey coach Ethel May (Pat) Patton Robinson passed away peacefully at Bayshore Health Care Center on April 14. She was a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday.

Known as a no-nonsense pioneer with a sparkle in her eyes, in addition to her passion for sports and teaching, Pat “loved tending her roses, her dog, Molly the collie, and Penn State football,” her loved ones said in her obituary. “Most every fall Saturday would find her in her den watching the game. She even had a sign that read, ‘Don’t Bother Me, I’m watching Penn State Football.’ She also loved doing jigsaw puzzles, a tradition that is now carried on by her granddaughter Elizabeth.”

It was in 1959 when Pat, Mrs. Robinson to students, took her love of sports, particularly field hockey, to RFH, where she was instrumental in starting the team, coached the sport from 1974 to 1981 and taught gym and health. Her career at RFH spanned from 1959 to 1981. But her love of field hockey and championing equality in sports for women came long before her time at RFH.

She came to the Rumson-Fair Haven area in 1953 after graduating from Penn State with a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education in 1942, according to her obituary. While at Penn State, she had played for the U.S. National Women’s Traveling Field Hockey Team. There she was also a proud member of Chi Omega and, later in life of Pan Hellenic, it added. A WAVE at the U.S. Navy Base in Oakland, CA during World War II, she was the director of the athletic program and played on the WAVES’ women’s field hockey team.

An inaugural member of the RFH Athletic Hall of Fame, Pat was also involved in the fight for Title IX, the federal law that, once signed by the president in 1972, prohibited gender discrimination in participation of any federally-funded education activity or program.

Her field hockey coaching and high school teaching ways stuck with many an RFH student for decades. And there were some surprises decades later.

“Wow. I had no idea Mrs. Robinson was a strong proponent of Title IX, although it doesn’t surprise me,” RFH graduate Lisa Ericson said on Facebook. “My strongest memories are from whichever year she was our sex ed teacher.” This was in the 1970s, when sex ed was yet another controversial, pioneering initiative in schools.

“An amazing woman” is what RFH graduate and field hockey player Elizabeth Howie said. “Very tough field hockey coach,” she added. “We were told ‘No smoking, drinking or screwing’ (my recall. Probably not her words!). Although she did say ‘Shit’ when I once nailed her shin during practice.”

“Tougher than nails!” and admired are what several RFHers commented about her.

In the Rumson-Fair Haven area, Pat Robinson was not only known as a teacher and coach, she was also a neighbor. A well-liked neighbor.

“Mr. & Mrs. Robinson were our neighbors, behind us, as we were growing up in Fair Haven,” Fair Havenite and RFH grad Donna Volker said. “We’d hop over the fence to get balls, frisbees, catch the bus on Cambridge, etc & they were good sports about our antics. She always had a twinkle in her blue eyes and a smile. Wonderful Neighbors and a fun Gym Teacher @ RFH. ?”

Born on May 4, 1920 in Darby, PA to Eliza Still Patton and Thomas Flood Patton, Pat graduated from Darby High School in 1938 before going to Penn State, from which she graduated in 1942.

Pat married William H. Robinson, Jr. (Robby) in 1946 in Cleveland, OH. They moved to Fair Haven in 1953 where they raised their family.

“Mr. & Mrs. Robinson were our neighbors, behind us, as we were growing up in Fair Haven,” Fair Havenite and RFH graduate Donna Volker said. “We’d hop over the fence to get balls, frisbees, catch the bus on Cambridge, etc & they were good sports about our antics. She always had a twinkle in her blue eyes and a smile. Wonderful neighbors and a fun gym teacher @ RFH.”

After her RFH career, Pat became a devoted grandmother. “She was immensely proud of her grandchildren, Elizabeth and Tim, and she rarely missed a sporting or school event,” her family said in her obituary. “They both loved their Gram dearly. Pat was so happy she got to see them both happily married.”

In addition to her love of career, family, friends and sports, Pat was supportive, active 67-year member of St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson. There, she served on the Altar Guild and the Canterbury Fair.

Pat was pre-deceased by: her husband, her parents, her brother Wallace and her son-in-law Thomas Sharp.

Pat is survived by: her daughter, Sandra Sharp of Dorado, Puerto Rico; son, Bill (Laurie) Robinson of Barnegat; granddaughter Elizabeth (Jaryd) Banach of Darien, CT; Grandson Timothy (Mallory) Robinson of Selinsgove, PA; and her former daughter-in-law and good friend Kathy Boushie, also of Selinsgrove, PA

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Bayshore Health Care Center for their care and compassion.

Arrangements are being made through Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank. A memorial will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George’s By the River Youth Group.

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