Arnold B. Robbins, a native son who practiced law in Seattle for 46 years, honored and served the Jewish community all of his life, and delighted in coaxing joyful noise from his trumpet, died September 25, after a brief illness. He was 83.
Arny, as he preferred to be called, was the only child of Earl and Sara Robbins, and grew up in the Cherry Street neighborhood of Seattle, then the heart of the Orthodox Jewish community. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1945, and received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Washington, becoming an attorney at age 23. He spent seven years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves.
He was a partner in the law firm that became Breskin & Robbins for more than 30 years. He appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1974, and served as an officer in the Washington State Bar Association.
He lived in Bellevue for many years with his wife, Esther, whom he married in 1950, and who predeceased him in 2006. He is survived by their children and spouses, daughter Vicki Robbins and son-in-law Rocky Silverman of Seattle; son Seth Robbins and daughter-in-law Mari Robbins, of Bozeman, Mont; and his second wife, Barbara Hurst of Dallas, from whom he was divorced.
Before and after his retirement in 1996, Arny’s involvement in the Jewish community was extensive, including the American Jewish Committee, the Temple De Hirsch Sinai board, and Endless Opportunities. He was a proud participant in projects of the Washington State Jewish Historical Society, and recorded an oral history for the University of Washington, describing the Seattle of his childhood. He loved to study and he loved to travel the world. Plus, he also volunteered at North Seattle Community College for 15 years, as an aid to an ESL teacher.
In addition to his family, Arny leaves his many musical comrades, including fellow members of the Coal Creek Dixieland Jazz Band; the Around the Sound Band; the Bellevue Community Band, and the Sounds of Swing. On the few occasions when he stepped down from the stage, he was a polished ballroom dancer. He spent the last years of his life with his significant other, Sue Mon Wei.
Graveside services were held at Bikur Cholim Cemetery. A memorial service was held at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle at 10 a.m. on Oct. 11. Donations may be made to Jewish Family Service or Temple De Hirsch Sinai.
Arnold B. Robbins
