Dr. Sidney Robins died on July 10, 2003 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, from a sudden heart attack while at dinner at a restaurant with his wife and friends. He was 74.

Dr. Robins served a long and distinguished career in the NYS Office of Mental Health. In 1961, he became the chief psychologist at Central Islip State Hospital, which was then the second largest hospital in the world with over 10,000 patients. He also served as Chief of Service at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, Kings Park Psychiatric Center and Sygamore Psychiatric Center.

During the early 1980s when the NYS Office of Mental Health shifted emphasis from in-patient to out-patient treatment, he developed and directed the NYS out-patient facility located in Nassau County. At the time of his retirement from state service in 1987, he was Head of Quality Assurance for the LI Region of the NYS Office of Mental Health.

Dr. Robins also maintained an active private practice and established a private treatment facility, the Smithtown Consultation Center, where he served as director for several years.

In the 1970s he served as an adjunct faculty professor at Adelphi University where he taught graduate students. In the 1960s he served as a consultant to the Suffolk County Police Dept. Dr. Robins began his career as the chief psychologist at Harlem Valley State Hospital in Wingdale, NY.

According to his son, Craig D. Robins, a Westbury attorney, Dr. Robins was recognized by those he touched as a wise and thoughtful person with a calm demeanor and an easygoing spirit. He enjoyed a deeply spiritual, philosophical and intellectual quality to his life. His counsel, advice and guidance were sought and valued.

A major passion was travel and he and his wife traveled around the world. An avid water enthusiast, he lived on the ocean in Ft. Lauderdale for the last 12 years where he swam daily right up until the date of his death. He was a certified scuba diver and took frequent cruises. He also enjoyed tennis and photography.

Upon retirement, he volunteered for a number of community activities, including the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival, and he most recently read to preschoolers at the Broward County Library.

Prior to retiring to Ft. Lauderdale, Dr. Robins resided in Dix Hills from 1970 to 1987 and Hauppauge from 1961 to 1970. He met his wife, Joan, also a psychologist, during his doctorate studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. They were married 48 years.

Dr. Robins is survived by his wife, Joan Robins of Ft. Lauderdale; his two children, Craig D. Robins, Esq., and Renee Robins, a programming consultant at MIT in Cambridge, MA; and three grandchildren.

A funeral service was held July 13 at Temple Bat Yam in Ft. Lauderdale which was attended by over 100 people. Anyone desiring to contact the family can contact Craig D. Robins at 900 Merchants Concourse, Westbury, NY 11590.