Jeffery Lee Robbins
November 23, 1957 – January 17, 2024
Interment: Greenwood Cemetery, Brookings, SD
Jeffery Lee Robbins was born November 23, 1957 as the first-born son of Delbert and Joanne (McMillan) Robbins. Jeff attended school in Bushnell, Fountain and Brookings where he graduated high school in 1976. Jeff continued his education at SDSU where he was a member and President of Farmhouse Fraternity. After graduation, Jeff spent his entire career working for Daktronics in Brookings.
Jeff welcomed his son, Cole Robbins, in 1986 and in 1991, he married his best friend Kathy and received two wonderful bonus kids in Rachel and Colin Pierce. Jeff and Kathy spent time celebrating their children and grandchildren, enjoying lake life, golfing, and traveling to warmer climates. Whenever he could, he got out hunting with his brothers or his friend Lloyd and he always enjoyed being able to fish from his own dock at their lake home. Jeff also loved and enjoyed training Golden Retriever dogs to join him hunting or walking around his Dakota Shores home.
(Survivors at the time of passing): Jeff was survived by his wife Kathy (Van Heerde/Pierce) Robbins, his mom Joanne Murphy, his children Cole (Allison Struck) Robbins, Colin (Lynda) Pierce, and Rachel (Darin) Janes, his brothers Mike (Lori) Robbins, Pat (Laurie) Robbins, and his sister Kathy (Steve) Erschens. Lucky to call him Grandpa were Jacob (Courtney) Janes, Emma and Owen Pierce and Lincoln and Rowan Robbins. He is also survived by his nieces Meighan (Ryan Springer) Robbins, Shana Cohrs, Mackenzie Fluharty, Kara (Seth) Moret, Madison Robbins and his nephews Wyatt Robbins and Christopher (Adam Gayer) Fluharty.
Daktronics
Daktronics extends deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Jeff Robbins, who passed away on Wednesday, 17 January.
Jeff’s obituary can be viewed here. A visitation will be held from 4:30-6:30pm on Friday, 19 January at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, SD. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, 20 January at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Hendricks, MN.
Jeff began his career with Daktronics in 1980 as the first Sales intern. After completing his internship and his bachelor’s degree at South Dakota State University, Jeff served first as a District Sales Manager, then became a Regional Sales Manager in DeKalb, Illinois. His current position was Corporate Purchasing Manager, where he supported domestic and international supply chain companywide.
After interning with Daktronics, Jeff had a fond appreciation for the students who work at Daktronics. He still considered himself a student 43 years later.
“One thing is, you never stop learning, even today. The development/evolution of technology at Daktronics is providing opportunities to continue to expand into areas that grow personally and professionally,” Jeff commented.
From the student who first delivered Matside® scoreboards to the Corporate Purchasing Manager, Jeff enjoyed working in the community he grew up in. He was also thankful for the opportunities he had to explore the world and build lasting relationships with people he would have never met if it weren’t for Daktronics.
While Jeff watches students grow into professionals, his current supervisor, Rob Lutz, watched him make an impact on the people he surrounds. According to Rob, Jeff had the knowledge and experience to be a coach, mentor, and friend in the workplace.
“Jeff was positive, always smiling, never deflated. He encouraged the team to celebrate victories, big and small, with caramel rolls from the Lake Hendricks bakery. He lived the three pillars of Daktronics; honest, helpful, humble. He is the epitome of Daktronics!”
When he wasn't working, he was at his home on Lake Hendricks with his wife, Kathy and 2 dogs, Izzy and Kait. He enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, and golfing.
