Robbo did not regain consciousness and become aware of his surrounding from the time of his heart attack on the 15th of November until the 5th of December. Robbo was given a mechanical heart known as ‘ventricular assist device’ which needed to be plugged in and recharged every night until his transplant. While awaiting his turn, Robbo was sent to the 1st Health Support Battalion as the Training Warrant Officer. On the 2nd of May 2008, eighteen months after his heart attack, Robbo had his heart transplant surgery.

In October 2011, Robbo met his new love, Kylie. Kylie had known of Robbo since the early 90’s and after reconnecting they hit it off immediately. They soon became a couple, began living together and enjoyed all of the many things they had in common including sport and travelling. Kylie and Robbo were in the process of building their dream home, finalising plans for their January 2014 wedding and ticking off items on Robbo’s bucket list. This included a trip to Canada for a ‘white Christmas’ in December 2014. Alas it was not to be. Robbo was assisting behind the bar at the local golf club when he suddenly collapsed. He passed away in the caring arms of a close mate surrounded by family and friends.

Robbo was a wonderful soldier, family man and respected member of the community. In 2013 Robbo and Kylie became sponsors of two holes at the Port Wakefield Golf Club. Robbo was instrumental in establishing fund raising event on most Saturdays. The proceeds of which were donated to the Cerebral Palsy League (Robbo’s eldest son David has mild Cerebral Palsy). He was very much into establishing and maintaining the often enduring relationship between the Proof Range and the Community of Port Wakefield. At the Port Wakefield Bowls Club he organised the Range teams for the ‘Night Owls’ competition as well as co-ordinating the annual bowls day for member s of the Range. He was also a stalwart of the annual Australia Day Cricket Extravaganza between the Range staff and the Townies – often humorous but lacking any true cricketing skill. Robbo was a passionate footballer and played (often notoriously) for the Port Wakefield Football Club over a number of years. He supported the club during home games and his heckling was second to none.

Robbo was so proud of his family and lived for his boys. In conversations he always talked about what the boys had been up to and what they were doing at school and how they were progressing. He was also very proud of his wider family. He often spoke about his brothers David and Stephen and sister Kaetlyn. He talked of them with pride and respect. He was proud of what they were doing and what they had achieved in their lives.
Robbo is survived by his Father Ian and stepmother Lu, his three sons David, William and Jake, his three older siblings, Kaetlyn, David and Steven and two younger brothers from his late mother Betty’s second marriage, Peter and Michael.

Acknowledgements:

Special thanks to Kylie Stopp for her assistance and providing the Eulogies from Robbo’s funeral.

Thanks also to:

• Major Darrel Kelly, OAM;

• Senior Sergeant First Class Martin Bazeley of the South Australian Police Force:

• Shayne (Croc) Savage;

• Jodie Robertson and sons David, William and Jake. RAAHC