Dr. Waide Lee Robinson, 73, departed this life on October 30, 2020, in Richmond, VA with his family by his side. He was born on December 11, 1946 to Sam and Dorothy Robinson in Hampton, VA. He graduated from Elizabeth City State University in 1969, earned two master’s degrees from Southern Connecticut University in 1973 and 1977, and a doctorate in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2001.

Waide will be forever remembered for his love, generosity, and wry sense of humor by his surviving wife, Janice Robinson; his three children, Qiana Robinson Whitted and husband Kenneth of Columbia, SC; Thena Robinson Mock and husband Brentin of Pittsburgh, PA; and Waide Lafayette Robinson and wife Brianna of Upper Marlboro, MD; his three grandchildren, Naima Jessie Whitted and Kenneth Alexander Whitted of Columbia, SC, and Emory Waide Mock of Pittsburgh, PA; his brothers Sam Robinson and wife Barbara of Chesapeake, VA, and Earnest and wife Mae Pearl Robinson of Portsmouth, VA; his sisters Joyce Robinson Ingrid of California and Cornelia Robinson of Portsmouth, VA, and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, James, Robert, and Ray Robinson, and his sisters, Geneva and Juanita Robinson.

Waide was a life-long educator who spent many years playing football and wearing #20 on the field, first at Crestwood High School in Chesapeake and in college for the Elizabeth City State University Vikings. Later he played for professional and semi-pro teams, including stints with the San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Hartford Knights, and Bridgeport Jets. He was inducted into the Elizabeth City State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. During his career as an educator, he would work as an industrial arts teacher, principal, and administrator in school districts in New Haven, CT, Sarasota, FL, Round Rock, TX, and in Blacksburg, Williamsburg, and Richmond, VA. After retiring as Director of Human Resources for Richmond Public Schools, Waide cherished a second career as the director of the Math Science Investigators (MSI) Enrichment Program for high school students at the University of Richmond.

Waide was inducted into the Beta Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1967, and he was also a proud member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and St. Paul’s Baptist Church. He earned a second-degree Black Belt in American Style Karate and mentored generations of young people in the dojo, the classroom, and throughout the community. Over the course of his career, he received numerous honors and media recognition for his work. He had a gift for leather crafting and woodworking, building furniture in his spare time. He loved smooth jazz and traveling the world, from California road trips with his children to visiting Ghana, Brazil, Italy, France, and Greece with his wife. Watching Sunday football and basketball games in the recliner with a bowl of cashews nearby was his favorite way to end the week.

Waide spent his last days being lovingly cared for by his wife, his caretakers Vivian Solomon and Daryl McDonald, the staff of the assisted living facility at the Harmony Collection at Hanover in Mechanicsville, VA, and the Bon Secours Hospice team.

Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, November 13, at Scott's Funeral Home, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 with Rev. Dr. Rebecca Griffin officiating. Livestream can be found online at scottsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elizabeth City State University Foundation, PO Box 1467, Elizabeth City, NC 27906 with “Dr. Waide L. Robinson Memorial Fund” indicated on the memo line. These funds will be dedicated to student tuition assistance.