R.I. Hall of Fame honors Robbins, 9 others

Arthur S. Robbins and nine other Rhode Islanders will be honored April 30 as they are inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. It is the 52nd such ceremony.

The Hall of Fame, now consisting of 747 Rhode Islanders, was created in 1965 to honor “any individual who has brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence and contributed to the history and heritage of the state,” according to board of directors president and 1995 inductee Patrick T. Conley. Such individuals must have been born in Rhode Island, lived, studied or worked in Rhode Island for a significant time, or made his or her reputation here.

That certainly describes Robbins who has made his mark in Rhode Island as a successful hotel developer, businessman, civic leader and philanthropist. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, he grew up in Woonsocket.  He got his start as a hotel developer, building the Warwick Motor Inn across from T.F. Green Airport in 1959. He went on to develop the Providence Marriott and other hotels in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

He’s been involved in the community at large, helping to found the Providence Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and he’s been actively involved in the education and medical community.

He was involved in the founding of the R.I. Holocaust Museum and served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of R.I. (now the Jewish Alliance) and the Providence Hebrew Day School. He is a member of Temple Emanu-El. He and his wife Judy have three children and eight grandchildren.

In addition to Robbins, this year’s inductees are Dr. Robert D. Billington, Richard A. “Dick” Ernst, Charlie Hall, Ralph A. Papitto, Dr. Piyush J. Patel, Dr. James T. Patterson, Dr. Patricia R. Recupero, Michael A. Tamburro and Dr. Betty R. Vohr.

Tickets for the Heritage Hall of Fame dinner event are $85. Order by April 22 by calling 401-556-6174 or 401-640-5389.