Harold “Robby” Robinson, founding director of the Crossmen, passes away at 83

Harold “Robby” Robinson, founding director of the Crossmen and 2020 inductee into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame, died Monday evening at the age of 83.

Robinson established the Crossmen in 1974 as a merger between two smaller suburban Philadelphia-based corps, the Keystone Regiment (where he was a staff member) and the 507 Hornets. First competing on the Drum Corps International stage in 1975, the new Southeastern Pennsylvania corps quickly rose to prominence, just two years later earning a spot among the elite “Top 12” at the DCI World Championship Finals.

According to Bob Morrison, who was a member of the Crossmen from 1979 to 1982, running the corps became an “all in” endeavor for Robinson and his family members.

“The Crossmen became their way of life,” Morrison said. “Their home in West Chester (Pennsylvania) became the ‘corps hall’ serving as the administration office, sleeping quarters for members who traveled in for weekend rehearsal, food hall, equipment truck parking lot, and instrument repair shop … Robby even helped finance the organization with his own personal funds.”

With his family behind him every step of the way, Robinson credited much of his success to his late wife Charlotte, who he met in his younger years as a percussionist with the Tri-Community Cadets of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

“Thinking back, she was always there to help me,” Robinson said in his 2020 induction speech for the DCI Hall of Fame. “Through my marching years, my judging years, my instructing years, and as a director, I believe that Charlotte deserves a big piece of this (DCI Hall of Fame) award.”

Robinson additionally took great pride in the successes of his son and daughter, who were both members of the Crossmen in the early 1980s. Son Robbie earned individual snare drum championship awards in 1979, 1980 and 1982, and Kimberly Ann spent 11 years in the corps serving as color guard captain in 1983.

Another highlight of his Hall of Fame induction, Robinson called out the formation of the Spirit of Atlanta in the mid 1970s as one of the fondest memories of his entire drum corps career. While touring the southern United States, DCI Hall of Fame member Freddy Martin invited the corps to perform for a local Atlanta television station. That Crossmen performance is what convinced the head of the station to sponsor Spirit, consequently allowing Martin to get his new corps up and running in 1976.

“There has never been a doubt in my mind that Robby was as responsible as anyone for creating the Spirit of Atlanta,” Martin said. “During those formative years, Robby was always there for me and the corps … It is hard to believe that one great man could have been responsible for the creation of two of our greatest corps.”

Robinson said that “it seems as though (Crossmen and Spirit) were destined to help each other through the years,” and the two corps have since shared a special connection and comradery that lasts to this day.

 

At the center of all that Robinson did and sacrificed for the corps was the experience offered to the young performers within Crossmen’s ranks.

“Robby spent his life performing, teaching and directing drum corps,” Martin said. “He has a long history of giving himself to kids, of putting his life on hold for young people.”

“Every year during the Saturday DCI East event, the Crossmen hold their annual picnic homecoming event in the park (outside J. Birney Crum Stadium),” 2015 DCI Hall of Fame inductee and Crossmen alum Jeff Sacktig said. “Proud alumni gather to celebrate their heritage and meet the newest version of the Crossmen. Mr. Robinson was always there not only reconnecting with alumni, but connecting with the future of the organization and supporting the brand he helped build. When the kids realize who he is, it’s heartwarming to watch the admiration they have for their founding father.”

In more than a decade as director of the Crossmen, and long after as he stayed deeply connected to the organization throughout his entire life, Robinson created countless memories both for himself, his family and the thousands of corps members he was privileged to serve.

“The drum corps means a lot to me,” Robinson said. “A lot of great memories, a lot of great kids, a lot of great travel and places we have seen together.”

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