Robin Rawlings Obituary

Robin M., 49, of Laramie, Wyoming, died Monday, December 2, 2013 peacefully in her sleep at her home, after a courageous five-year battle with multiple serious medical issues. She was born April 1, 1964 in Lafayette, Indiana to Robert W. and Michele (Forsyth) Rawlings.

She is preceded in death by her father.

Robin is survived by her loving husband, Cameron of Laramie; her cherished five-year-old son Jacob Wright of Laramie; her sister, Paige Rawlings of Indianapolis, IN; and seven beloved nieces and nephews. Robin also grew very close to her stepmother, Deborah (Kaufman) Rawlings of Indianapolis, IN.

Robin graduated from Southport High School in Indiana, and pursued her undergraduate degree in psychology at Purdue University, where she met the love of her life, Cameron, who to her surprise was a career Air Force officer. They were married in May 1988 in Indianapolis, soon after which they were transferred to California, where Robin completed her master's degree in clinical psychology at California State University.

They were also stationed in Colorado twice (at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs), where Robin was a warm and giving counselor for Pikes Peak Hospice. It was in Colorado Springs that she enthusiastically joined Cameron in various leadership and character-building activities for Air Force Academy cadets, and was a civilian sponsor for many female cadets. Robin and Cameron were also stationed in Austin, Texas, where Robin was the Director of an AIDS hospice and was an untiring advocate for the gay and lesbian community there.

When Cameron retired from the Air Force in 2003, they moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where Robin became very active in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laramie, even serving a term as Board Chair, and also volunteered her time for various charitable organizations.

She was within months of completing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology when she was struck by viral encephalitis and a stroke in 2008. But throughout everything, the center of her life was "her boys," Jacob and Cameron, who will profoundly miss her sweet, loving, and generous presence for the rest of their lives. She was an angel on Earth, whose constant goal in life was to bring positive energy into other people's lives; she succeeded in that more than she ever realized.

Per Robin's request, no formal services will be held. Cremation has taken place. An informal Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Laramie, 1262 N. 22nd St. Laramie, WY 82072.

Services are under the direction of Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, go to www.montgomerystryker.com.