VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Larry J. Robinson passed away on Wednesday, September 3rd at a hospital in Minneapolis.
The following is a statement written by Valley City State University President Dr. Alan LaFave about the legacy Robinson leaves behind after decades of promoting and supporting the university.
“I’m writing to share the very sad news that Larry Robinson, retired executive director of the VCSU foundation, passed away yesterday afternoon. He was an ardent supporter of higher education in North Dakota and proud advocate of VCSU. His legacy of nearly 50 years of service to VCSU will be long remembered. He loved this place. Larry’s story is woven into the fabric of VCSU. A 1971 graduate, he dedicated more than 49 years of his career to advancing the mission of the university. Beginning as Director of the Memorial Student Center and Student Activities in 1975, he later became the first Director of the VCSU Foundation in 1996, where his leadership greatly expanded scholarship support for students. In 2020, he was named Executive Director for University Advancement, continuing to build strong connections with alumni and friends while helping shape the university’s future. Larry also directed VCSU’s first-ever capital campaign, which secured funding for the renovation of the McCarthy School of Education and the construction of the Tharaldson Family Athletic Center, now in progress. As a longtime member of the North Dakota Senate, Larry was a strong voice for higher education. His efforts in Bismarck were instrumental in securing state funding for the Rhoades Science Center renovation in 2013 and the Center for the Arts, which opened in 2022. In recognition of his vision and tireless service, the facility was renamed the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts in 2024, the same year he retired. Larry was not only a gifted leader, but also a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend. His commitment, warmth, and tireless advocacy for VCSU earned him admiration across campus and beyond. His legacy will live on in the scholarships he helped create, the students whose lives he touched, and the vibrant facilities that stand as a testament to his work. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Larry’s family and friends during this time of loss.” With gratitude for his life and legacy, Dr. Alan LaFave.
Visitation for Larry Robinson will be held at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Valley City, on Tuesday, September 9 from 5 pm to 7 pm with a prayer vigil at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am, Wednesday, September 10, at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Valley City.