Howard Linwood Robbins Jr. of Hayes, Virginia, died peacefully in his home on October 6, 2025, at the age of 86. Howard was born in Achilles, Va., on July 1, 1939. Raised in Achilles, he was a member of the first graduating class of Gloucester High School in 1957. He then attended the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, where he was the recipient of the prestigious Huntington Award upon graduation. Immediately following graduation from Apprentice School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. During his military service, Howard was deployed to Germany for several years. Upon returning to Virginia, he was employed at the Newport News Shipyard in the foundry pattern shop for 40 years. He grew up on the water and enjoyed fishing and boating in his younger years. He also enjoyed woodworking, hiking, camping with his grandchildren, and being in nature. Howard was also known to make a mean clam chowder. As an accomplished woodworker, he spent a lot of time building and renovating, including the construction of his home on Sarah Creek, where he resided until his passing. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Georgia and Howard L. Robbins Sr. He is survived by his wife, Guenivere Joan Robbins; his brother, William Eugene Robbins (Margaret Robbins); his step-daughters, Shannon Jeter and Robin Senter (David Chaney); four grandchildren, Joni Jeter (Ezekiel Simon), Casey Senter, Christina Senter and Tzipporah Harker, and many local cousins. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, in Rosewell Memorial Gardens Cemetery, conducted by Pastor Mike Lawhorn of Union Baptist Church. Friends will assemble at the cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge Visiting Angels and Gloucester Riverside Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Donations in Howard’s memory may be made to Visiting Angels of Kilmarnock, P.O. Box 1208, Kilmarnock, Va. 22482, or Riverside Walter Reed Hospice, 7358 Main Street, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.