Robin Edgar Lawrason
Popular and creative Lakeside resident Robin Lawrason passed away on December 23, 2017, following a brief illness.
Robin, born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1941, was raised in the small village of Queenston on the Niagara River. He had a natural talent with language and earned an Honor BA in English and History at McMaster University. He later moved to Toronto and put his love of language to work teaching for five years at York Mills Collegiate.
Robin later moved to the United States for studies at both the University of Florida and Arizona State, earning his Ph.D. His abilities were quickly recognized in the education media, communications and technology field, and he was recruited by Temple University in Philadelphia. For Temple, he designed a new media learning center and became its esteemed director. As president of DID (Division of Instructional Development), he earned the DID Distinguished Service Award in 1989. After ten years as business manager, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 from the International Association of Learning Labs. He also did extensive personal research on the genealogy of the Lawrason family and was proud of his association with the Empire Loyalists and the English Speaking Union. He had become a U.S. citizen in 1984.
Robin and his beloved husband, Jim Lloyd, met in Portland, Oregon, prior to their moving to Philadelphia and have spent the last 44 years together. In 1998 they retired and embarked on the adventure of moving to Ajijic and designing their new home. In celebration of their devotion to each other, they were married five years ago.
Over the years in Ajijic, Robin was very active in the community, serving on the board of the Northern Lights Music Festival, administrative board member of the Lakeside Little Theatre, the directorship of Niños Incapacitados for four years, at which time the program’s membership more than doubled, and on the board of the School for Special Children. He also performed in and directed presentations at the Readers Theatre. In 2007, the Lake Chapala Society awarded him Man of the Year for his community service.
Robin’s writings have appeared in a number of journals regarding language learning technologies and instructional development. His ready, broad smile and friendly manner will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
In addition to Jim, Robin is survived by two brothers: Ralph (Mert) in Burlington, Canada, and David (Elizabeth) in Saint Catharines, Canada, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Robin’s rich and rewarding life will be announced in the near future. Contributions in his memory may be made to Ohana Assisted Living at Lake Chapala, Calle La Paz 6, San Juan Cosala. See This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call (387) 761-0403.