01/12/2022
Eliot resident and beloved Dover business owner, Charlie Robinson, 60, died December 24, 2021 at his home in Eliot, Maine.
Charlie was born May 4th,1961, in Windsor, Vermont to Leonard and Shirley Robinson. He is survived by his sister, Janet Loven and her husband Bill, of West Lebanon, NH, and a niece, Elizabeth Charlet and several cousins.
Charlie served in the United States Army and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, with his best friend, David Hoque. In the 529th MP Co, from 1982-1985, Charlie was a Specialist 95B MP. He and David were assigned to conduct law enforcement duties in Heidelberg. This was also the home of the United States European HQ’s. Their duties included protecting life, military assets, facilities, personnel and their families. Their unit provided close protection and Honor Guard duties to the Commander In Chief, USAREUR, and staff. The unit’s Honor Guard conducted welcome ceremonies from visiting ambassadors, general officers, and prestigious dignitaries. Charlie also performed security duties at the home and office of the Commander in Chief, USAREUR. Charlie Robinson was an excellent soldier and an even-better friend.
Charlie's interest in history began in his youth but blossomed within his time overseas. If you knew Charlie, you know how much he loved military history. He traveled to many historical sites, museums, cemeteries, and to locations that pulled him in.
Charlie was the proudest of co-owners, with Gary Armitage, to Elite Hobbies & Models LLC (established 1998) which became a home for so many of Charlie's "kids". They were offered a safe place to play games, speak geek, and let their "freak flag fly", as Charlie would say. Soon after, Elite Living History and Military Antiques was born. Charlie and his friends attended countless events in the most accurate of WW1, WW2, Spanish Revolutionary War, and touch of Revolutionary War clothing. He loved to teach about history. He loved to share what he had learned with those he met.
As strong and honorable as Charlie was, he was also the kindest of souls. He would make sure the local restaurant workers around his business got a "How you doing, kid?" or a "What's good with you?". He would sometimes stop into different restaurants and businesses around Dover with his portable phone in-hand, as to not miss one phone call from his shop, to check in on one of his many "kids". Charlie had a way of making people feel loved, important, and worthwhile. He had a way of making people stop, smile, and burst out into laughter with his array of impressions and silly voices. Charlie will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life for Charlie Robinson will be held this Sunday, January 9th, from 3pm-6pm at Sonny's Tavern at 328 Central Ave, Dover NH. Join us for many laughs, hugs, memories, and stories.
