Ronald Robinette

Ronald Eugene Robinette, 72, of North Little Rock died Wednesday, March 16, 2016. He was born November 21, 1943 in Little Rock at St. Vincent Infirmary and was the son of Eugene and Hazel Robinette. In 1961, he graduated from N.L.R. High School where he joined the Thespian Society and performed in school plays and productions. After majoring in History at Arkansas State Teacher's College in Conway, he completed a 4 year carpentry apprenticeship program which lead him to a career with Pickens Bond Construction as a lead estimator and managing Apartment Developers Construction Co. Ron was the owner of Robinette Construction, and a partner in Robinette-Keyes Construction, and Robinette-Burnett Construction. He was an active member of The Associated General Contractors of America and the American Arbitration Association. In 1967, he received the award for Outstanding Carpenter from the Southern States Apprenticeship Conference and he also received the Golden Hammer Award in 1996 from the R&R Association.
During his retirement years, Ron mentored at Gibb's Elementary and also was an Adjunct Professor at UALR in the Department of Construction Management, receiving the 2008 Foundation Award for his contribution. He became a Pulaski County Master Gardener and was a speaker at the Arkansas Flower and Garden Shows. His summers were filled taking care of his vineyard and vegetable garden. He enjoyed making salsa and muscadine jelly to share with family and friends. His lifelong hobbies included beekeeping and raising any and every animal imaginable.
Ron's forefather was Allen Robinette, an emigrant colonist, who came from England in 1682 and purchased land from William Penn in Pennsylvania. Because of his interest in history Ron was very proud of this occurrence and became a Lifetime Member of the Robinette Family Association of America.
Ron loved people and was a friend to all he knew. People were drawn to his personality, his wonderful sense of humor and his great story telling ability. He motivated people and helped them see things for what they really were. Countless were the standing ovations he received after giving a speech.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Caldarera Robinette; son, Randall Robinette; granddaughter, Alexandra Robinette; mother, Hazel Inman Robinette; brother, Kenneth Robinette; and sister, Becky Robinette Johnson. Preceding Ron in death were his son, Robert Robinette; and his father, Eugene Robinette.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home Chapel with reception following at the Funeral Home.
Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .