Neil Colonel"

Neil Wendell “Bud” Robinson, a.k.a. “The Colonel”, age 87, Forest Lake, went home to be with the Lord, November 22, 2008. He was born November 25, 1920 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Graduated Mechanic Arts High School. He served his country four years as a Coast Guard sentry dog trainer during World War II along the Florida coast. He was a postal clerk on the railroad and retired from the Postal Service in 1975. He was also a well known Forest Lake school bus driver for 33 years. He received the honorary Silver Beaver award for his 18 years of service with Boy Scouts of America. Member of the Forest Lake Fire Department 30 years, ambulance service 16 years. Faithful usher for Gopher sporting events for 36 years. He was recognized all over the Twin Cities as “The Colonel” due to his resemblance to the late Colonel Sanders of KFC fame. Survived by wife, Vera, Forest Lake; children, Tim (Sharon) Robinson, Kasota, and Corliss (Tyrone) Vadner, Forest Lake; grandchildren, Matthew L. Robinson, Chicago, IL; Marit (Tom) Shepard, Minneapolis; Emily and Kyle Vadner, Forest Lake; nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 5, 2008 at Chisago Lakes Baptist Church, 9387 Wyoming Trail, Chisago City. The family will greet friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at Oak Park Cemetery, Forest Lake.