Larry J. Robinson, 75, Valley City, North Dakota, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visitation 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.
Larry James Robinson, the son of Floyd and Denise (Kleiter) Robinson was born October 3, 1949, in Bismarck, ND. He graduated from Tappen High School and earned his B.S. degree in education from VCSU and his Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from NDSU. He started his career as a teacher in Warwick, ND then returned to VCSU.
Larry met his wife, Mary Lee Haugland, while working at the Viking News at VCSU. Following graduation, they were married and had two sons, James and Travis. To all who knew Larry, his family was his world and biggest accomplishments, especially his grandsons Alex, Max and Jax. To them, he was an ordinary person, their biggest supporter and sometimes voice of reason. He was a true legacy, and his favorite quote will live on as a reminder forever, “You’re not in control.”
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 and spent 32 years as a Senator in the North Dakota State Legislature. The years overlapped as did many of his on campus and off campus jobs and legislative accomplishments. 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. As the VCSU Foundation Director and the
Executive Director of University Advancement, Larry grew the Foundation from $1.3 million in 1996 to $24.4
million in 2024. Nearly all that growth has funded VCSU scholarships which have resulted in the record-
breaking enrollment growth of the college that Larry loved. He would humbly point out that he didn’t do it
alone, but it was his leadership and vision that made it happen.
In 2021, Larry was named Capital Campaign Director for VCSU which led to a major renovation of the
McCarthy School of Education and the VCSU Tharaldson Athletic Center. In 2013, his leadership drove the
funding of the Rhoades Science Center. In 2022 the 32-million-dollar state funded Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts was finished on the VCSU campus. Larry was instrumental in securing the funding. He also played a major role in the funding and building of the Gaukler Wellness Center in Valley City. The Robinson Recovery
Center in Fargo, ND is a bricks and mortar legislative accomplishment that Larry was largely responsible for.
Larry Robinson was involved in countless other legislative initiatives that were always about helping the
citizens of North Dakota. He truly cared about the least, the lost, and the last.
Larry’s involvement in Valley City organizations include Past President, Valley City Area Chamber of
Commerce; Barnes County Wildlife Federation; Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce; Governor’s Alcohol &
Drug Prevention Advisory Task Force; Legislative Council 1991- 2014; Member, VCSU–V-500; Century Club
Scholarship; Organizations; Elks; Eagles; Knights of Columbus; Kiwanis and member of St. Catherine Catholic
Church.
Larry is survived by his wife; son James (Mandi); grandchildren Alex, Max and Jax. He is also survived by his
siblings Carl (Sheila) Robinson and Robin Robinson and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Travis Robinson and his siblings Paul Robinson and Dennis (Bernie) Robinson.
Memorials may be directed to the Valley City State Foundation – Larry Robinson Scholarship.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, ND. An
online guestbook is available at olivernathanchapel.com