Paul ClintonDuring a lively memorial service on...

Paul Clinton

During a lively memorial service on Thursday morning, friends and

family members celebrated the life of a man partly responsible for

the preservation of the Back Bay.

Frank Robinson and his wife Fran, who died almost two years ago at

the age of 82, led a fight in the 1970s against the Irvine Co. and

Orange County to stop a marina project in the Back Bay.

“He believed that everyone had the right to enjoy nature,” said

Bob Caustin, a Back Bay defender. “His life’s work is embodied in the

Upper Newport Bay preserve.”

More than 100 well-wishers attended the memorial service, which

was held at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in the Back

Bay. Robinson died April 10 after a long illness. He was 84.

A parade of speakers regaled the audience, which was huddled under

a makeshift tent to keep away the rain, with stories about Robinson’s

legacy and warm, good-spirited persona.

County Supervisor Tom Wilson called Robinson a dedicated crusader

for the bay.

“He kept the bay on everybody’s radar screen,” Wilson said. “They

kept it on our radar screen for a long time.”

The Robinsons moved into their Dover Shores home in 1961. Eight

years later, they sued the Irvine Co. to stop the Irvine Co.’s marina

and condominium plan for the estuary, which the Irvine Co. owned at

the time.

In 1973, a judge agreed with the dogged couple’s claim that the

land should be set aside for the public to enjoy as a wildlife

preserve. The ruling paved the way for the sale of the 750 acres of

estuary and 140 additional acres from the Irvine Co. for $3.5

million.

Frank Robinson was born in South Carolina in 1918. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati before moving to the L.A. area. In

the 1970s, Robinson also held a seat on the Orange County Harbor

Commission and helped plan Dana Point Harbor.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.