The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-10-12
DEATH LED Him
TO THE CHURCH
DR.. Robinson Became a
Catholic Just Before
He Died.
Was Received as a Member bv
Rev. Joseph O'Reilley in
Fresno.
A Foreboding of His End on Sunday
Morning Decided
Him.

1t is the impression with many that Dr.
Luke Robinson. the we'll known physician,
who died Sunday, was during his lifetime
a Roman Catholic, but it is now known
that he became convert only on the
morning of his death. He was then re-
ceived into the church by Rev. Joseph
o. Kelley of St. John the Baptist Church
in Fresno.
DR.. Robinson was for many years iden-
titled with Catholic institutions and few
doubted that he belonged to that denom-
nation.
On the morning of his death he was
attacked with a severe illness which lasted
fifteen minutes, and he remarked that if
he had another that day 1t would be the
end. IT was then he decided to have the
consultations of religion.
The deceased was one of the most charit-
able men in San Francisco-none vainIv
applied to him for help, whether deserv-
ing or undeserying.
His services as physician were freely
given To hose who could not afford to
pay, and for years he has been senior sur
geon OF ST. Mary's Hospital without re-
Enumeration.
IL was through his influence that the
late Mrs. Kate Johnson left an endowment
for ''St. Mary's Help Hospital. soon to
DS tItClSh, anu nc w dS lelI as one vi ln6
trustees OF the trust with Arch bishop
Riordan and Dr. w. S. Thorne. At the
time of Mrs. Johnson's death he was her
attending physician.
DR.. Robinson was devoted TO his science
and held many high medical positions.
He was PRESIDENT OF the Academy OF
Medicine, ex-presdent of the State
TO the post graduate class at the -Unive r
sity of California, senior surgeon of st.
Mary's Hospital, director of the veterinary
department at the State University, and a
member OF the governing board of poly
clinics.
DR.. Robinson was So years of age, and
prior TO two months ago was very robust.
He was born in st. Joseph, Mo-, on June
10, 1912 and came to California in 1876
with his father, J. G. Johnson, who is
still living, residing in Santa Clara
County.
He graduated from the University OF
the Pacific when 10 years of age, alter
ward graduating from the Toland Medi-
cal College In 1867, and he first practiced
med icine in CoIusa. claiming later one of
its fair daughters for his bride, Miss
Geneva Brooks, daughter of Captain AL
phonso Brooks OF Virginia.
He was successful in his pre- ctice in tn at
city, leaving the Place with a considerable
fortune. During his residence at Colusa
Health.
In 1888 he went to London and entered
the Royal College of Physicians, where
he obtained degree the following spring
He then returned TO San Francis CO, where
he established a practice, ana since that
time he has been declared one OF CaIifor-
MAS brightest and most skillful ply
sicians.
His widow, since she heard of his
death, has been Frustrated. DR.. Robin
sons eldest son, Frank, is a practicing
physician in this citv, and his other son,
George, is in New York. His daughters
(Lita and Bernadetta) are with their
mother. He has also brother living in
Santa Clara and two sisters in Colusa, all
of whom have fastened to this city.
His illness was not one of two or three
weeks, but rather that of many years and
whenever he was absent for any length of
time his family were in constant tear and
the news OF his death came in a form
which they had long dreaded. Death was
due TO heart failure, and sudden as the call
came he passed away without suffering
He was on his way from Fresno TO this
city and died on the train at Lathrop.
The funeral will take place Thursday.
There will be requie m high mass at st.
Ignaiius at 10 o'clock, Rev. J. Varsi, S. j..
acting as celeor Rev. Charles A. Ramm
of ST. Mary's Cathedral as deacon. and
The palibearers have not all been chosen :
those who have so far been named
however, are: DR.. w. w. Kerr, DR.. James
Kearney, Frank w. Gold; William P.
Harrington, pres dent of the Colusa Bank.
and Judge William t. Wallace The in
termeut will be in the family plat at
Laurel Hill Cemetery.