In loving memory of

Michael M. Robbins
January 2, 1928 - October 28, 2017

Self described Famous Porsche Driver, Mike Robbins passed away Saturday October 28, 2017 at age 89. He was born in North Manchester, Indiana to Clifford Milton and Rita Josephine Messina Robbins. His early years were spent in an idyllic childhood on Lake Webster with his siblings. The Family later moved to Elwood, where Mike became an Eagle Scout, and played in the Elwood High School Band. After a serious bout with rheumatic fever, he graduated from EHS.
Mike also Graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Purdue, he was the Manager of the Baseball Team, and survived the 1947 Purdue Bleacher Collapse.

Mike moved to Indianapolis to work for Bryant, and Pittman Moore/ Dow Chemical.
He and co-worker David Brinkman held a patent on an inhalation device invented for Dow.

Mike was a Jazz aficionado. He became friends with the Montgomery Family, Dr. Willis Kirk, Benny Barth, and many Indy Jazz greats. He also spent many weekends traveling to Chicago to hear Jazz in clubs and after hours jam sessions.

Mike married Judy Fowler Liggett. They spent 26 years traveling the country in his Porsche before her passing in 2016.

In the late 50's Mike began his love affair with Porsche. He travelled to Germany to buy his 356
nicknamed "Bathtub". He was a member of the Porsche Club of America, the 356 Registry, and a founder of the Central Indiana Region of PCA. For many years he was the Last Man Standing at the annual Porsche Parade Banquet, because he attended more Parades than anyone there.
Mike was also involved in the Sports Car Club of America, racing his Porsche 904 at sanctioned events. For many years he owned Mike Robbins Service, selling Porsche parts and repairing 356 transmissions for people around the world.

Mike was a member the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association, Warbirds of America,The World War II Roundtable, the Indiana Astronomical Society, and an associate member of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He was a long standing member of Old Farts Lunch group with his best friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Judy, his brothers Dick and Tom, and his sisters-in-law Peg and Kathy. He is survived by his sister, Rita Louise Wire; his step daughters,
and sons-in-law, Jill and Brian Crist, and Jenny and Chad Stultz; three Grandchildren, Kellan, Tyler, and Katie Mae; niece and nephew, Theresa and Dave Berghoff, as well as three cousins, many nieces, nephews, friends, and his PCA Family.

Visitation will be Thursday November 2nd, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 3rd, at Leppert Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th St. Burial will be at the Second Mount Pleasant Baptist Cemetery in Johnson Co. Memorial contributions can be made to the Indianapolis Parks Foundation with a notation "for the benefit of Marott Park" , 615 N. Alabama St., Suite 119, Indianapolis, IN, 46204.

Tributes

Curt Dansby wrote on Nov 6, 2017:

"Dear Family I had not noticed the thread that was started on The 356 Registry Website last week and today I received a copy of the obituary in the mail from my Father In Law. Theresa I received your card post my visit with Mike in August ( I mailed the T shirt the week after our visit). I would have responded if you had given me your address. I had a picture of Mike and I put in the September/October issue of the Club Magazine. I hope he saw it when he got his issue. I do know that a couple of friends reached out to him after the magazine came out as they contacted me to say thanks for posting his contact info. I hope this provided him some happy moments. You can see the tributes to him on our website at : http://forum.porsche356registry.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44868 God Speed Mike Curt Dansby Porsche 356 Registry"

Joe Klein wrote on Nov 2, 2017:

"Mike and I go back to 1961. The reason we met was that I had a 1959 Porsche 1600 Super, white with a blood red interior. Uncle Sam mailed me a Dear John requiring me to enter the US Navy. Unfortunately I had to sale the Porsche and Mike immediately fell in love with the car and purchased it. Over the years I often wondered how Mike was doing and if he still had the "Bathtub" as we both called it .After the service I would have loved to have been able to purchase the car back from him but marriage and children came first. God Bless Mike. Joe Klein "

Zdenek Base wrote on Nov 2, 2017:

"Mike Robbins, the 356 legend and a humble person, we all will miss you. I know you are going to keep the 356 FAITH at the Heavens Gate. So long our friend. Zdenek Base, Czech Republic"

Robert Graves wrote on Nov 1, 2017:

"We certainly will miss seeing Mike at the dealership for Porsche events. He had a wealth of knowledge on the older Porsche cars. Rob Graves Tom Wood Porsche"

The Jones wrote on Nov 1, 2017:

"He was a sweet soul and we will miss him. We will cherish the time Mike spent with us. Our prayers are with you. Bob,Kathie and Amanda Jones"

Steve Priddy wrote on Nov 1, 2017:

"Mike and Porsche were insepable. A true expert in the workings of 901/356 models, he generously shared his knowledge and experience with those who sought his opinions. RIP."

Bill Roberts wrote on Oct 31, 2017:

"I always looked forward to seeing Mike at the Porsche Parade and was there when he last attended at French Lick, Indiana. He will be missed by all in PCA! Bill Roberts, Inland Northwest Region"