Douglas “Curly” Wayne Robinson, Jr., M.D

Douglas “Curly” Wayne Robinson, Jr., M.D
November 12, 1947 – March 25, 2022

Douglas Wayne Robinson, Jr., affectionately known as “Curly”, peacefully passed from this earthly life into heaven on March 25, 2022, at the age of 74. He was born in Gilmer, Texas, on November 12, 1947 as the eldest child of Emma Ruth Little and Douglas Wayne Robinson, Sr. Curly grew up in Liberty with short stints in Montana and Canada. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and married his college sweetheart Cynthia Kolb from La Marque, Texas. He attended the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Curly and Cynthia moved to San Antonio for his surgical residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center where he was Chief Resident in 1978. After residency, Curly became a partner with General Surgical Associates. He remained with General Surgical Associates until his retirement in 2018.

Curly was passionate about his family including his wife of almost 52 years, three daughters, twelve grandchildren, and extended family members. Known as a loyal, cheerful man with a keen mind and a strong sense of humor, Curly invested lovingly in the lives of family and friends. Relationships were always important to Curly. He maintained a lively and special bond with the “Liberty Boys” that spanned almost 70 years.

Curly loved his work as a physician and especially learning the stories of each of his patients. Besides practicing as a general surgeon for over 40 years, he was Doctor of the Year at Community Hospital in 1980, served on the Methodist Hospital System Board for five years where he was Chief of Staff in 1996, assisted Methodist Healthcare Ministries for ten years, was a member and past president of the Aust Society, and was a longtime member of the Texas Surgical Society and President in 2021.

When not practicing medicine, Curly looked forward to spending time with his wife and three girls. Curly was thankful for Cynthia’s support and devotion throughout his life and especially over the past year. His daughters fondly remember spending time with “Shaggy Buffalo” at Indian Princesses and participating with him in a multitude of activities because he delighted in his family. Curly was intentional about managing his work schedule to show up for every game, recital, practice, ceremony, school program, and graduation to support his girls and did the same thing with his grandchildren. His grandchildren enjoyed reading books, watching westerns, playing hide and go seek or chase, having “spend the nights”, talking, playing, laughing, big hugs, belly laughs, card games, puzzles, traveling, and simply spending time with Curly who they fondly called Grandpa or PaPa. He truly cherished each of his children and grandchildren.

Curly also loved to hunt birds, deer, and elk in his free time. He was an avid fisherman. He loved to flyfish in Colorado as well as fish all along the Texas coast. Crested Butte, Colorado always held a special place in Curly’s heart where he loved to hike, ski, fish, and spend time with family. Curly had a passion for golf and could often be found on the San Antonio Country Club course. He especially loved when Cynthia took up golf and started playing with him. He relished Bluebell ice cream, supported the Longhorns, and loved his home state of Texas.

Curly was a longtime member of Alamo Heights United Methodist Church and devoted to a Bible study group known as The Fishermen (Chuck Anderson, Clark Boddy, Charlie Holshouser, Scott Horn, Gary Koehl, Randy Singleton). He enjoyed serving on the Wesley Community Board and more recently participating in the Canopus Club. He also loved attending the “Retired Doctor” lunches on Wednesdays.

Curly was preceded in death by his parents, brother and a sister. He is survived by his wife Cynthia; daughter Jennifer and husband Greg Estoll, daughter Sarah and husband Chris Hodge, daughter Anne and husband Billy Mason; grandchildren Chloe, Elijah, Bethany, James, Peter, William, Nathan, and Margaret Estoll, Ellie and Anna Hodge, Everly and Annabelle Mason; sister Robin Potetz; niece Gena and husband John Besich, and their children Ryan and Dillon Besich.

The family is so thankful for everyone who prayed for and supported them through Curly’s journey with cancer. We are also profoundly grateful to Dr. Ian Thompson, Dr. Jayaram, Dr. Ronald Drengler, Monica Carrasco, and all of the wonderful staff at the START Center who took such excellent care of Curly.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022
1:00 P.M.
ALAMO HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
825 E. BASSE ROAD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209
ATTIRE: BRIGHT & HAPPY PER CURLYS REQUEST

Rev. Donna Strieb will officiate the service. Honorary pallbearers are Garrett Andersen, John Andersen, Nathan Andersen, Chuck Anderson, Clark Boddy, Clarence Bray, Greg Estoll, Carl Griffin, Rob Grimes, Henry Herrera, Chris Hodge, Charlie Holshouser, Scott Horn, Evan Johnson, Jerry Kachel, Gary Koehl, George Johnson, Spec Livingston, Billy Lloyd, Billy Mason, Johnnie Odum, Tom O’Neil, Carl Pickett, Skeet Raggio, Randy Singleton, Gaddy Wells, and Curtis Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Surgical Society, https://www.texassurgical.org/online-payments/donations/. A more detailed obituary will appear in the coming days.