Charles Robinson Jr.

Charles Schiffer Robinson, Jr., affectionately known as “Uncle Charlie,” passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at the age 82. Often accused of looking much younger than his year he would say “that’s because I never drank and I never smoked”. He was a smart man.

Born in Philadelphia on December 2, 1943, Uncle Charlie was the son of the late Charles Schiffer Robinson, Sr. and Virginia (Little) Robinson Kulesa and the younger brother of Dolores (Robinson) Oswald.

Charlie worked at the University of Pennsylvania for over 40 years scrubbing potts in their kitchen. He always told us he was the best pot scrubber.

In his earlier years, Charlie spent weekends walking up to “the Avenue” to shop at Radio Shack or taking the trolley into center city to peruse the record stores and eat at the Gallery at Market East. But what Charlie will be most remembered for was his love and knowledge of trains, pipe organs, 60’s music and building radios out of cigar boxes.

Uncle Charlie is survived by his nieces and nephews: Dolores Webster, James Oswald, Joseph Oswald, Karen Brooks, Brian Oswald, Deborah Oswald and Monica Oswald, as well as 13 great nieces and nephews and 13 great great nieces and nephews. He never missed an opportunity to tell his family “I love you very much” and “gimme a hug.” Uncle Charlie’s family will miss those hugs and are so grateful that he is now at peace with is mother, father and sister.

All who knew and loved Uncle Charlie are welcome to join us for services held at St. James

Episcopal Church on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Doors will open at 10:00am to gather and view pictures and say good-bye. Mass begins at 11:00am. The church is located at: 6838 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Volpe Funeral Home. To share memories or condolences, please visit volpefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the train exhibit at the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art. Instructions below:

* Click the link - “Make a Gift in Honor of Someone Special”

* Choose ‘Museum Unrestricted’ from the drop-down menu

* You may type in any dollar amount

* Please type ‘Charles Robinson’ in the ‘Notes/Instructions’ portion

* For those who prefer to mail their contribution, checks should be made payable to

“Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.” Please write ‘Charles Robinson’ in

either the memo line or in an accompanying note.

Please mail to:

Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art

1 Hoffman’s Mill Road

P.O. Box 141

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

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