Utah State University has produced many notable students, but few have changed it like Bill Robins, the colorblind student body president who raised the funds to build the Taggart Student Center. Robins and his wife died in 1954 in a horrific plane crash at age 29, but in spite of that he managed to live a life fuller than most.
He had the ability to make the most of any situation. He grew up in humble circumstances but made the most of every educational and employment opportunity he had. He loved his family and also sought a spiritual education. In a letter to his parents in 1949 he wrote, “With gratitude for my educational opportunities – I pledge a life of honor, of ambition, and of devotion to you for the ideals you have inspired in me.”
According to his mother, Marba Ferrin Robins “he grew up a happy normal little boy” in Eden, Utah. He was a scrawny kid and had a knack for theater. In high school, even though he had previously been an average boy he began to excel, and through “his friendly smile, scholastic and leadership abilities, [dashing] good looks, and a willingness to try” he became senior class president.
At Utah State University he continued to be very active. He had two major roles in school productions and joined the Intercollegiate Knights and the fraternity of Sigma Nu.
He was also elected One Year Councilman and that was when he offered a program for the attainment of a student union building. His plan called for students to write letters to the state legislature to obtain funding through a bill.
In the spring quarter of 1948 he was elected student body president. Richard Michaud, a Sigma Nu Fraternity member said, “Utah State has a good year ahead with Bill holding the reins. Though he has honors galore already, Bill is not a man to stop and rest on his laurels.”
LaVerna Burnett Newey of Huntsville, Utah said, “the helping to raise money for the new Student Union Building was Bill [Robin’s] main objective while he was president. He put his heart and soul into that. When it was completed he was as proud of it as if it had been his own home.”
After Utah State he met and married Geraldine Rushforth, and they had a son by the name of Michael. Gerry, as she was more familiarly called, had a beautiful voice, and would often sing at church and social functions.
Robins got a job working as sales manager for the Box Elder Packing Corporation. On April 19, 1954 Bill and Gerry flew with his employer to Wichita, Kansas, stopping over in Denver. The plane, for unknown reasons stalled above Denver and plummeted into the city, managing to miss a hospital and an elementary school and land in a parking lot. The plane burst into flames and all four lives were lost.
In the wake of his death Sigma Nu, set up a trust fund to be given to his son, Michael to sponsor his education at USU. Michael died at age eight from leukemia. The Robins Award has been given yearly to students who are dedicated and show exceptional accomplishment.
