Rex L. Robbins
Oct. 8, 1935 - Jan. 24, 2016
Pendleton, Ind. – Rex L. Robbins, 80, of Pendleton, passed away Jan. 24, 2016 at Community Hospital North, Indianapolis after battling several health issues for many years.
Rex was born at home on October 8, 1935 in Anderson, Indiana to Arthur and Elsie (Everett) Robbins. Rex was one of eleven children that Arthur and Elsie brought into this world. Rex attended Forrest Hills Elementary, Anderson High School class of 53 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University.
Rex was raised on the west side of Anderson on Moss Island Road. At an early age he found his love for basketball and racing. He played on a number of ball teams growing up and was a loyal Indian (AHS) ticket holder until his health simply wouldn’t allow him to attend anymore. His collegiate favorite was Indiana University the “Hoosiers”.
Following high school Rex attended Ball State before deciding to enlist in the Army. Upon his return from the Army Rex met his life companion and future wife Rebecca K. Noble. Rex and Becky were married April 12, 1957.
Rex started his career working for Colonial Bakery delivering bread. After the bakery, Rex and his brother Bill decided to get into the bail bonding business. While in the bail bonding business an opportunity came up to purchase Anderson Wrecker, the local city towing business. It was while running the towing business, and providing the wreckers at Sun Valley (Anderson Speedway) that Rex got back to one of his early passions, racing. Rex first sponsored cars at the local track, then owned a car, then more cars and traveling the U.S. racing those cars.
In 1968 Rex and Becky started the American Speed Association, promoting sprint car races at Sun Valley (Anderson Speedway). Over the next thirty-five years ASA developed into the premier sanctioning body for short track racing. ASA was responsible for a number of procedural, safety and technological innovations that have been adopted in motorsports world-wide.
In 1976 Rex joined a group of investors at the county court house to purchase Sun Valley Speedway at a sheriff’s sale. The group of six (Don Ulrich, John Hellis, Bob Fields, Charlie Masters, Leo Parrish and Rex Robbins) formed Trackside Associates, renamed the track to Anderson Speedway and operated the track for the next twenty-one years.
Rex is survived by his brother Larry W. Robbins and two sisters Delores (Robbins) Landwerlen and husband Leo and Rene (Robbins) Evans, his children, Brian R. Robbins wife Jennifer (Stanley) and Kelly (Robbins) Eshelman and husband Brad. Grand Children Courtney (Robbins) Gaskill and husband Zachery, Jessica (Eshelman) Todd and husband Matt, Jason Robbins and Justin Eshelman. Great grandchildren Jada and Hannah Todd, Abigail Gaskill and soon expected Sam Gaskill, and several nieces and nephews.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, wife Becky (Nov. 2010) and siblings Wanda Ashby, Phyllis Robbins, Bill Robbins, Bob Robbins, Marjorie Slivka and Betty Parker.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Tom Wiles, Delores Landwerlen and Dave Argabright speaking. Burial will take place in East Maplewood Cemetery following the services with military rites conducted by the V. F.W. Post 266 honor guard.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project; P. O. Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675 or [email protected].
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.