Laird A. Robinson

Laird A. Robinson passed away after a nine year courageous battle with cancer with his wife Loretta by his side. Laird was born on Sept. 5, 1942, at Walla Walla, Washington, where his father attended school at the time. Laird attended Paxson Grade School and went on to attend and graduate from the Missoula County Public High School in 1960. Laird continued his education at the University of Montana to include a double major in biology and history graduating in 1966. He was also president of the Phi Delta fraternity house.
Laird married Helen Ferrlan on June 12, 1965, and had two sons. Eventually Laird and Helen were divorced.
Laird began smoke jumping with the Missoula Smokejumpers around 1962 till 1965. He would return to smoke jumping after serving in the military in 1971 till the mid-1970s.
Laird entered ROTC in 1963 and entered the U.S. Air Force as an officer in 1965 earning the rank of captain. Eventually he departed with an honorable discharge in 1971. After serving in the Air Force, Laird continued federal employment with the U.S. Forest Service until retirement with nearly 40 years of service. Laird worked on a large incident management fire team and next in a professional capacity in public affairs and eventually retired in special projects at the Regional Office in Missoula.
Laird would also serve as Norman MacLean’s research partner in the book “Young Men and Fire.” The two built a special bond and relationship that would last until Norman’s death in 1990.
Laird would later serve in a volunteer capacity as the president of the National Smokejumpers Association.
Laird married Loretta Robinson on May 1, 1998, and remained happily married until his death.
Laird left behind his father R.H. “Ty” Robinson; his brother John Robinson and sister-in-law Anita Robinson; his wife Loretta Robinson; his son Tyler Robinson and grandson Logan Robinson; his son Calvin Robinson, wife Christine and granddaughters, Grace and Audrey.
Laird is preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth “Jean” Robinson.
To say that Laird was an avid outdoorsman would be an understatement. Laird was an expert woodsman who enjoyed every adventure involving hunting and fishing. He especially liked elk hunting, salmon fishing, steelhead fishing and bird hunting. Time spent with friends and family outdoors was not only a way of life but a religion.
Laird was a great son, spouse and dad and will be missed by all those he leaves behind on his next adventure.
Funeral services will be at the Holy Spirit Parish located at 130 S. Sixth W. in Missoula at a date and time to be announced.