Charlys L. Robison
Born Dec. 26, 1942. Died March 1, 2018.
Artist, 40-year Colorado Springs resident.
Survived by a son, Keith Andes; two daughters, Krystal Smith, and Kelly Miles; and a brother, Maynard Robison.
Memorial service, 2 p.m. Friday, Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. Inurnment, Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum, Freedom Columbarium, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs.
——————————————————————-
My sister Charlys Lucille Robison was born December 26, 1942. As a child I always thought her birthday a misfortune, assuming that adults were so exhausted and so broke right after Christmas that her birthday never got its proper attention. She never complained about that to me and it may have been no more than a projection of a brother eighteen months younger. What I know from that time is her protecting me, a photo of the two of us walking down a sidewalk with my hand firmly in her hand, and her protection.
In high school if not earlier, Charlys showed a distinct artistic bent, an interest that she maintained throughout her life and one she shared, particularly, with our father. She made beautiful photographs, jewelry and wood carvings. She always loved and helped her little brother. Sometimes, her help wasn’t quite enough. I still don’t think I tie my shoes exactly right.
After high school, Charlys attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. As she told me, she majored in college life rather than her studies, and after a year had to drop out because our parents wouldn’t pay for more bad grades. She returned to Winfield and after a few months married Donald Andes. In August 1962, their son Keith was born, daughters Krystal and Kelly followed.
Beginning about this time, Charlys encountered severe emotional and physical problems that would plague her for years. Ultimately, despite Donnie’s best efforts to make their relationship work, he and Charlys divorced, he remarried, and with his second wife Janice raised the children. As an almost entirely absent uncle, I thank God for Janice and for Donnie.
Once her life stabilized, Charlys moved to Wichita, where she worked for the University of Kansas Medical Center. She continued to suffer emotional and physical problems and eventually became permanently disabled. Ultimately, she moved back to Colorado, first to Cripple Creek and to Colorado Springs.
As I think you all know, the last years of Charlys’ life were a struggle with Parkinson’s. Ultimately, she lost the ability to speak, and I lost her wonderful sense of humor, which Linda thinks was just like mine and I think was just terrific.
Written by her loving brother, Maynard.