Hall of Fame: ​Chuck Robinson – PTHS Class of 1979

Chuck Robinson graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1979 and was known to friends and fellow students as a fun, genuinely kind person. Although dedicated to boxing, he did not let it interfere with being a regular teenager enjoying small-town high school life. He spent time with friends and participated in sports and school activities, lettering in track, basketball, and football during his years at Port Townsend High School. He never bragged about his success in boxing.
Chuck was born to Charles and Phyllis Robinson in 1961 and was the eldest of three children. He volunteered with his family church and chaperoned field trips with local handicapped children. One witness recalled how easily Chuck blended in with the kids, reflecting his fun-loving personality. Barbara Holbrook, Chuck’s longtime sweetheart and schoolmate, shared that in addition to working with handicapped children, he helped younger boxers improve and always had a joke to make others smile.
Chuck began boxing at age seven at the Port Townsend boxing club, coached by his father and Phil Sutherland. He was known for his athleticism, but even more for his character, and was loved and respected by classmates, boxing peers, coaches, family, and all who met him.

His loyalty to the U.S. National Boxing Team and his desire to help less experienced boxers led him to return with the team to Poland in March 1980 rather than pursue another attempt at the National Golden Gloves title in Las Vegas. Just weeks before the trip, Chuck had the privilege of sparring four rounds with Muhammad Ali in California.
Chuck’s life was tragically cut short when the Polish jetliner carrying him and 23 members of the U.S. amateur boxing delegation crashed near Warsaw, Poland. A memorial was held in a packed Port Townsend High School auditorium, attended by Muhammad Ali, his boxers, coaching staff, and employees. Ali stated he was proud to have Chuck on his team and believed he would have become a top professional boxer. Film shared at the service reminded attendees of the talent and goodness lost that day.
Proclamations and tributes were issued by the Governors of California and Washington, President Carter, Senator Henry Jackson, and heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, and flags were flown at half-mast in both states. Although the 1980 Olympic boycott meant Chuck and his fellow boxers would not compete that year, he is remembered as an inspiration and a joy to all who knew him.