Educated at Stamford School (where he was in the rugby, athletics and boxing teams), Richard Robinson spent three years (1951-54) as a trooper in the British South Africa Police, involved in policing the outback of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). On return to UK he joined the Army. After training at Eaton Hall OCS, he was commissioned into The Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in July 1955 and served in 1 R LINCOLNS in Malaya. He transferred to The Royal Leicestershire Regiment in July 1958, and became Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion stationed in Plymouth.

From 1959-62 he was a Coy 2IC at the All Arms Junior Leaders Battalion in Tonfanau (North Wales), and was appointed Adjutant of 4/5 R LEICESTERS TA in Leicester 1962-64. He then returned to 4 R ANGLIAN as OC C Coy just before the Aden tour. When the Battalion returned to Watchet in 1965 he took over as Adjutant in Malta. On promotion to Major in 1967 he served as a Staff Officer in HQ 7th Armoured Brigade in Soltau, BAOR, before returning to 4 R ANGLIAN to command B Coy in Bahrein 1969-70. He was awarded the MBE for his work as GSO2 (Ops/SD), HQ Southern Command, Hounslow 1970-71. He then became an Instructor of the Company Commanders’ Division at the School of Infantry 1972-73. On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 1973, he was appointed Commander, Union Defence Force, United Arab Emirates (in 1975 the Force, having increased in strength and equipment, was renamed Al Yarmouk Brigade). In 1976 he was awarded United Arab Emirate’s Distinguished Service Medal and a year later he was awarded the OBE.

Staff appointments in the MOD and HQ Wales followed, and promotion to Colonel, during which he was also Colonel Commandant, Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force 1984-87.

He retired from the Army in April 1987 and became the Domus Bursar of St John’s College, Cambridge. He was admitted to the Degree of Master of Arts by the University of Cambridge in May 1990. He handed over the appointment of Bursar in 2002, although remaining a Fellow of the College, where his tact, knowledge and experience remained much appreciated.

After retirement, he became a Trustee of The Royal Tigers’ Association, becoming its President and Chairman. He also joined both the local branch of The Royal British Legion, becoming its President, and the Parish Council.

He was always immaculately dressed, calm and with a great sense of humour. He was a dedicated and professional officer, with high standards but who was very approachable and saw to the needs and welfare of those he led with great affection.