Charlotte Rice Robinson raised six children (15 of those years in Iran), was a nurse, took care of me after school, fought for racial equality, started an organization to aid refugees that still is alive in Portland today (S.O.A.R.), and taught me to value myself for my mind and my actions. She is the most beautiful woman I know. On Sunday evening, October 4, 2020, I got to watch the sunset with her for one last time while she was still present, a moment that is now so precious to me. This afternoon I was with her, surrounded by our family, as she passed on to her next adventure. We were so lucky to be with her. I will love her forever, and when I see her again I will say, the way I did as a two-year-old, "Grandma, talk to me." And she will wrap me in her arms and talk to me, the way she always did. Charlotte Marie (Charma) Boeschen Charuhas, October 7, 2020
CELEBRATING HER LIFE
Charlotte Louise Means Rice Robinson (July 30, 1924 – Oct 7, 2020), known as Charlou, had two great loves in her life. She was married to Homer (Buzz) E. Rice from June, 4, 1945, until his death in 2002, and together they raised a family of six children. They served as medical missionaries in Iran for 15 years, Buzz as a doctor and Charlotte as a nurse, building a hospital in the city of Hamadan and providing medical care to remote villages around Hamadan. Four of their children were born in Iran. When they left Iran in 1964, they moved to Milwaukie, Oregon to be near their family. When Buzz died in 2002, Charlotte retired to Rose Villa, where she eventually met the second great love of her life, Ruel (Bud) Robinson. Charlotte and Bud were married on April 30, 2007, and they had a close, loving relationship that brought joy and a new light to Charlotte’s life. Bud and Charlotte shared a passion for gardening, travel, and spending time with their families. As Charlotte struggled with dementia the last few years of her life, Bud was her rock and her greatest source of comfort and stability.
Charlotte spent her life in service to others, working tirelessly for human rights, helping people in need, and serving on the League of Women Voters. She was a kind, loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a devout Christian, and was endlessly fascinated by the universe around her. She was a self-taught student of astronomy and physics.
Charlotte died at home on October 7th, 2020, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband, Bud Robinson, her children Glen Rice, Charlann Boeschen, Sally Sandoz, Jane Hastings, Cathy Gallagher, and Judy Clarke, as well as 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. We will miss her warm, loving smile, her wisdom, her lively sense of humor, and her boundless optimism.
We invite you to join us on November 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time for an online service to celebrate Charlotte’s life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBVjnzwPnDk&feature=youtu.be