Robin Wallis

Robin Wallis, born March 11th, 1942 in Montreal Quebec, died March 22nd, 2010.

Son of W. Herbert C. Wallis and Constance Claire (Smith) Wallis of Montreal, Shaker Hts., Ohio, and Welcome, North Carolina. Robin was a resident of Chester Township, Ohio, for 38 years with his wife of 42 years, Christine (Pope) Wallis.

He attended Crescent School in Toronto, Canada; Shaker Hts. High School (class of 1961), Ohio Wesleyan University, and The Ohio State University School of Journalism.

After college, Robin worked as a general assignment and police reporter for the Youngstown Vindicator and then as a reporter/photographer and editorial assistant for Com Corp (Sun Newspapers). He won “Best Feature Story Award” in 1972 in competition with reporters of the entire Sun Papers chain.

He then opted to leave reporting to serve as Public Relations Director for Richmond Hts. General Hospital and then The Cuyahoga County Hospital System including Metro General Hospital.

He later made media news himself when a controversy developed over his start-up of a horse and carriage tour business,”Duffy’s Carriage and Sleigh Rides”, based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. A vocal minority of Chagrin Falls residents vigorously objected to catering to the tourist industry in the village, the imagined threat to public safety, and the clip clopping of the horse through the residential neighborhoods.

Keeping his driving horses at his home in Chester Township, Ohio, Robin developed a vested interest in protecting horse farm zoning allowances as well as Chester’s country environment. He served as Chester Zoning Commissioner from 1991 to 1994, and was praised by fellow Commissioners for his “great facility with language” and “highly constructive” points of view. This gained him a reputation as a formidable and succinct debater and opponent of over-zealous commercial development and it’s subsequent weakening of residential property owners’ rights.

He was a star football player at Shaker High, was President of the A Cappella Choir and played the role of Frenchman Emile de Becque in its production of “South Pacific”. He also introduced his classmates to the Canadian passion of hockey, as he had played growing up in Quebec and Ontario, long before it became popular in Ohio.

After high school, at age 18, he developed insulin-dependent diabetes, but remained fit and active most of his life, touring Europe by motorcycle, being a ranchhand in Alberta, Canada, climbing Mt. Whitney, and enjoying an occasional game of tennis.

He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Ohio Wesleyan, and covered the 1960’s anti-war protests and riots as a student reporter for the Ohio State campus newspaper, The Lantern.

His other interests included camping, photography, canoeing, sailing, Gold Wing motorcycle touring and road trips to the West Coast and National Parks in his Miata convertible, all with his wife Christine, whom he met at OSU where she was an art student.

Robin was a generous supporter of animal rescue groups and humane societies, and adopted many beloved dogs and horses. His horses in his carriage business were members of his family, and were treated with love and respect and retired to green pastures at their home in Chester Township.

He had many enduring and loyal friendships, fueled by his quirky sense of humor and the irascible but goodhearted complexity of his character. An endearingly gruff soul capable of tender sensitivity and reliability, he is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Christine (Pope) Wallis; two younger brothers, Dr. W. R. Christopher Wallis of New Concord, OH; Tim Wallis of Milwaukee, WI; and two younger sisters, Penny Wallis of Moreland Hills and Susan Defabio of Wickliffe, OH. Also missing him will be his brother-in-law, Joseph Pope, and many friends who shared priceless “good times”.

There are no services planned at this time, as Robin requested “A hell of a good memorial party with Jimmy Buffet and Beach Boys music.” Friends, acquaintances, and family will be invited and notified when arrangements have been made. Correspondences may be directed to Christine Wallis, 7704 Cedar Road, Chesterland, OH 44026.