Robert Lewis “Robin” Emmingham passed away peacefully among family on December 19, 2025, at the age of 83. Born on September 6, 1942, in Kellogg, Idaho, he threw himself into school activities, sports, clubs, and community life from an early age. It was that drive to learn, to grow, to achieve that stayed with him always, and he devoted his professional life, and countless hours of his personal time and energy, to education in Washington state.
Robin graduated from the University of Idaho in 1966 and went on to a long career as a teacher, coach, drama teacher, principal, administrator, and mediator. Over the years he lived in Kellogg, Royal City, Richland, Bellevue, Finley, and Kennewick. He loved the life of schools: the learning, the activity, the teamwork, the productions, and the chance to help students and colleagues grow.
He began his career in Richland, teaching and coaching at Chief Joseph Junior High starting in 1968. He later taught at Hanford High School, where he wove his love of theatre into his work as an educator. He coached football, baseball, and wrestling, and rose into leadership roles in both the Finley and Richland districts. He later served as principal in Finley schools and, after retirement, spent a year as co-principal at Carmichael Middle School in Richland with his longtime colleague Hershel Griggs. Robin was active in professional education organizations including the Washington Education Association, and as President of the Washington Association of Classroom Teachers.
Theatre was one of Robin’s great passions. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he and Diane were active in productions with The Richland Players and Richland Light Opera. Robin acted, directed, built sets, and supported the craft of drama in many forms.

After his education career, he continued his public service in several ways. He served as a member for over 12 years of the Benton County Parks Board, which he joined in October 2013, and was a strong advocate for Two Rivers Park and the county parks system. He also served with Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities, helping support live performance and access to the arts in the region.
Outside of work and service, Robin had wide interests and deep loyalties. He and Diane, his wife of 63 years and his best friend, shared a rich life built around family, friendship, and travel. Together they cruised the world, loved to dance and dine, and built lasting friendships along the way.
Robin was an avid gardener who became a Master Gardener and transformed his backyard into a beautiful oasis, complete with a koi pond and waterfall that he built himself. He was active in the Mid-Columbia Koi & Pond Club and was also a longtime hydroplane racing fan, missing only one Columbia Cup or Gold Cup race during his 57 years in the Tri-Cities. Robin loved music, art, science fiction, and astronomy. He was an avid golfer from his earliest years, a club champion in high school, and his love for the game, on the course and on screen, never faded. He followed the technological advances he witnessed over his lifetime. He was a devoted Seahawks fan from the team’s beginning in 1976. He and his son Terry have been season ticket holders since 1997. He took special joy in traveling to Seattle for games and spending those weekends with Terry and Terry’s wife, also named Robin, enjoying good food, long conversations, and walks with their dogs. Travel benefits through eldest son Brent’s career in aviation made those trips possible, and Brent put those same benefits to memorable use with a father-son trip to Wrigley Field to see Brent’s beloved Cubs play.

Robin is survived by his beloved wife, Diane Judith Emmingham; his sons, Brent Emmingham and Terry Emmingham; daughters-in-law Cathleen Emmingham and Robin Emmingham; his sister, Ardith Drevlow; his brother-in-law, Ray Drevlow; nieces Darcie and Sonya; and extended family members and friends who were part of the rich life he built alongside Diane.

A Celebration of Life for Robin will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 9th, at Einans Funeral Home , 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA 99352. Memorial donations may be made in Robin’s name to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.
Those attending are encouraged to wear or bring a Seahawks, Mariners, or University of Idaho hat or item of clothing in honor of Robin’s beloved teams and alma mater, and for a group photo to mark the occasion.