NAME: Carlisle Bowling

LOCATION: Ormond Beach, FL

E-MAIL: Zarvon@aol.com

COMMENTS: I, and my family, extend our deepest sympathy to the family of my friend, Joel Robinson. So tragic and so unreal is the fact that Joel died in his beloved Marshall County, West Virginia as a result of Hurricane Ivan's rath when there should never be a hurricane in WVA. Seemingly this year, that is what Florida is for. Being a large man also, Joel and I had a lot in common--the love of genealogy,the love of Marshall County, the enjoyment of the Marshall County Virtual Genealogical Society, and of course the sincere friendship of a fantastic lady Mrs. Linda Fluharty. I met Joel at the first society meeting in 1999 and became friends immediately through working together with Linda, Vernon, Jim Wiley, and others to get the society dinner and meeting up and running. Joel was always willing to do what ever was necessary to help someone with any task. And who can ever forget that delicious "home brewed beer" and I am not a beer drinker, but that was a super batch. Joel will always be remembered as a kind, intelligent, and jovial soul. May he truly rest in peace in the heart of his beloved Marshall County. He will be sorely missed.

NAME: Therese Overholt

LOCATION: Moundsville, Wv

E-MAIL: toverholt24@aol.com

COMMENTS: I only met you once, but seemed like a nice guy. Your sister will sure miss you, hope you are up in heaven watching over her. May you rest n peace.

NAME: Jane Hafer

LOCATION: Pleasant Ridge, Marshall County, WV

E-MAIL: manusmind16@aol.com

COMMENTS: With the passing of our dear friend, our beloved Joel Mitchell Robinson, I am sorely sharing in deepest sorrow and grief. I wish to extend my sympathy to family and friends everywhere, who share the suffering of such a great loss. May he live on forever in our hearts and fondest memories. For me, he was the sweetest man I've ever known.

NAME: Ryan Church

LOCATION: Boulder, CO

E-MAIL: rdc121@yahoo.com

COMMENTS: First, I'd like to say that my heart goes out to Joel's family and all who knew him. I worked with Joel on several different job sites during my 2 years with Ecolochem and enjoyed working with him as much as anyone. I can honestly say that when there was a job to do, you wanted Joel on it with you. He was as hard a worker as he was a genuinely great guy. I think my old supervisor, Mike McCarthy said it best when he said "there wasn't anyone else that you wanted on site with you ahead of Joel, including dinner after work". I met Joel for the first time after brewing a clone of my favorite beer........Chimay. Let's just say that my clone didn't turn out as good as his. From that point on Joel and I got along really well and always brought our latest brews to job sites where we would be working together. I always knew that if Joel liked it, I could be confident that it was good. I don't have time to brew very much anymore, but tonight I will certainly stop and buy a bottle of chimay to remember Joel. He was a great person to work with and I know he will be missed.

NAME: Bill Schmidt

LOCATION: Hampton, VA

E-MAIL: manb4time@ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: There are only a few people you will ever meet that you know before they speak that they are a down to earth nice person. Joel, you were the only one so far.

NAME: Jason Bufe

LOCATION: East Hartford CT

E-MAIL: Jason.Bufe@Ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: I first met Joel in New Orleans working with Ecolochem in July 2001. My initial impression was he is very knowledgable guy. More importantly, he was very helpful and seemed to be a "good" person. Since then, I have worked with Joel several times and confirmed he is one of the "good guys" and always ready to lend a hand. Joel turned me on to some great beer and was generous enough to share some of his own brew with me. I could add many more things, but most importantly I am a better person for knowing him.

NAME: Scot Burmeister

LOCATION: Houston, Texas

E-MAIL: nnovak@houston.rr.com

COMMENTS: He was a core member of the extended road family that we have built up over the years. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to his family. Scot, Rich and Kevin.

NAME: Joe Zandarski

LOCATION: Pittsburgh, PA

E-MAIL: ski72enviro@aol.com

COMMENTS: I worked with Joel for a few months at the Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippinport, PA. He helped me tremendously in putting together that project. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. Joel was one hell of a man and I will not forget what he did for me. It is a shame that God has to take such a great person from this earth, but he did. God bless, Joel!

NAME: Matt Sierra

LOCATION: Jensen Beach Florida

E-MAIL: longboard66@netzero.net

COMMENTS: I really will miss Joel. He was really a good friend. Since we had time to work together and hang out together I was able to see what a genuine person he was and I always enjoyed when he came to Florida.Joel I will miss you but I am so glad I was able to spend the time with you while you were here you are an awesome person.

NAME: Michael Monge

LOCATION: Chesapeake, Virginia

E-MAIL: mhmonge9975@yahoo.com

COMMENTS: Dear friends and family, my heart grieves for the loss of Joel. Please know that my sympathies and prayers are humbly extended to you all. I met Joel once at a jobsite with Ecolochem, but knew of his work, his spirit, and his friendship through conversations with others. I know that he is sorely missed. May peace and comfort find each of you as you heal from this tragedy. Sincerely, Michael

NAME: Nelson Fields

LOCATION: Suffolk, VA

E-MAIL: nelson.fields@ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: I count it a priveledge to have known Joel and for the the six plus years that I have been with Ecolochem. He and I spent as much as six months in the same town, which gave me the chance to get to know what a fine man he was. I have lately thought about some of the good times that we had together, which always brings a smile to my face. Joel was the kind of guy who was always fun to be around due to the fact that he had a great sense of humor. Believe me, Joel needed a sense of humor at some of the sites such as Paradise where we spent the most of our time together. Joel was a hard worker who know how to enjoy life. Now that I am a father myself, I realize what a loving father he showed himself to be. He always made it known how much he loved his son James. He always had a picture with him and I remember one time he showed me his alarm clock with James' voice telling him it was time to wake up. Joel will be missed by many, which is another testimony of what an impact he had on people. My heart goes out to family and friends for this great loss.

NAME: Mike McCarthy

LOCATION: Dillsburg, PA

E-MAIL: Mike.McCarthy@ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: When I think of Joel, I think of Belgian beer, cough drops, someone wearing a flannel (unbuttoned) in 30 degree weather, West Virginia football, did I mention Belgian beer? More importantly, I think of one of the sharpest minds (both technically and mechanically) that I have had the pleasure to work with, I think of a Father talking about taking some time off to take his boy fishing, I think of an unselfish person willing to lend a hand at a site whenever you got stuck, I think of a kind person, an honest person, I think of a big smile and a booming laugh… I can’t think of one person who met Joel who didn’t like him. It took you three minutes to figure out that he was the kind of person you wanted as your friend, another two minutes to figure out he was the one person you wanted on your shoulder at a jobsite. I remember being at one particular site with Joel; the customer timeline for start up had been changed from 2 days to 12 hours. It was a system that neither one of us had ever started or even seen (superRO). The customer told me that he would be fired if the thing wasn’t running by 0400. If it was anyone else there with me, I would have been curled up in a corner freaking out… but Joel was there, everything was good. The customer got their water at 0330. I remember being told that when a person leaves us, it’s like a ship going over the horizon… the journey continues even though you can’t see it. This I know as fact, after Joel’s done with his boat, it will be twice as fast as anyone else’s and he’ll have it packed full with Belgian beer. Something will be missing in me if I don’t someday pull along side him and share a cold one.

NAME: Lori Whitwam

LOCATION: Elk River, MN

E-MAIL: ripleygold@charter.net

COMMENTS: I never had the pleasure of meeting Joel, but hearing so much about him from my sister, Linda Fluharty, I realize I missed the opportunity to know a truly wonderful person. The untimely death of someone so caring, intelligent and multi-faceted is a loss to us all. My deepest sympathies to all the family and friends of Joel Robinson. "Deep peace of the quiet earth to you; Deep peace to you." (from a Gaelic blessing)

NAME: J.T. Rose

LOCATION: Kingsport; Tennessee

E-MAIL:

COMMENTS: I knew Joel for the past six years. I considered him not only a co-worker, but a good friend. He was one of the smartest people I have ever known. I can still recall the great times that we shared together up at TVA Paridise;and those who know about Paridise also know that it is a hard place to have a good time at. That was the kind of guy Joel was, he could make the best of anything.Those of us that have had the privilege of knowing and working with Joel know what I am talking about. He was a loving father, a great friend but most of all, he was a good man. He will truly be missed.

NAME: M. A. R.

LOCATION: Avalon, PA

E-MAIL: pacollector@cox.net

COMMENTS: Word of Joel's death is slowly getting around and I am very much in grief at the news. He was so dear and nice and sweet and we had only in the past few months got to know each other well. Just a few weeks ago he was so alive and happy. I will always regret that I didn't meet him sooner. He loved his son so much and it makes me so sad to think of his boy's pain. He was a very special man!

NAME: Gregg W. Crow

LOCATION: Columbus, Ohio

E-MAIL: gcrow@columbus.rr.com

COMMENTS: Well, here I find myself once again stumbling to find the words that desribe sorrow and loss, yet I know you would have understood that difficulty for me. I had been meaning to get in touch with you lately, but I put it off...guess I was just hoping to run into you by some strange happenstance (just like the last) the next time in town ...so now, another lesson has been learned while another tear falls to the ground. "He" always seems to harvest the best, and this time is no different...I'm gonna' miss you. Your cousin from the Robinson side of life, Gregg

NAME: Curt Haring

LOCATION: Berwyn, PA

E-MAIL: Chharing@comcast.net

COMMENTS: I have known Joel for almost the whole time I have been with Ecolochem (15 years). I really liked Joel, both as a colleague and a person. I looked forward to meeting him whenever he came to any of the job sites in my territory. His disposition was always cheery, with a hearty laugh and a quick smile. I knew that if Joel was on site my customers (and I)had very little to worry about. I had lunch with Joel about 3 weeks before his death. When we finished lunch Joel told me that he was driving to Emmaus, PA to stock up on some good Belgian beer (no surprise there!) before heading home. He told me that he was looking forward to getting home so that he could spend time with his son. It makes me sad to realize that we have lost a valued colleague and friend.

NAME: Pete Williams

LOCATION: Okeechobee, FL

E-MAIL: pete_williams@fpl.com

COMMENTS: My sincere regrets to the family and friends of my friend Joel. Joel and I worked together at Ecolochem and I have many fond memories of working with him and relaxing with a few cool ones. Joel was always quick with a joke and made life on the road more tolerable. I got the news of Joel's passing just as Ivan was making a second pass at Florida, farewell Joel.

NAME: nizam ahmed

LOCATION: new york, ny

E-MAIL: nua4s@hotmail.com

COMMENTS: I first met joel when we worked togeather in Paradise, Kentucky. Joel went out of his way to help me understand the system and always lent a helping hand when we needed it. I will always remember him for his acerbic wit, convivial attitude, and his easy going manner. Above all, Joel loved his son and talked about him often. He will be greatly missed.

NAME: Judy Puckett

LOCATION: Palmdale, Ca

E-MAIL: columbo@sbcglobal.net

COMMENTS: I have known Joel since our first meeting at Yorktown VA in December of 1989. We were both new at the job and I expected him to be the expert since he had one months more experience than myself. Joel always just rolled with the punches and made the best of every situation that he couldn't control. He also controlled every situation he could. As the years passed we saw each other at the company's technical meetings and talked on the phone when we (I) needed some advice. He was a good friend and always a proud father. I will miss the unexpected phone calls from Joel just to see how things are going. He was a great colleague, professional, and a WV gentleman. I always knew I could count on Joel.

NAME: Ronn Deese

LOCATION: Charlotte, NC

E-MAIL: ronndeese@yahoo.com

COMMENTS: When I listened to the voicemail from Rodger Taylor and then listened again about the news of Joel's death, time seemed to pause and memories from Paradise, Kentucky quickly filled the video screen of my mind. I met Joel M. Robinson in Kentucky at a great time im my career; while I was green with inexperience. Joel could answer any question and give discussions filled with insight. Joel never smirked at the questions I asked so from the start I was on this great learning curve. I knew I was lucky to be at this job sight. Even though most FSR's frowned on this sight I requested to return when I had a chance to leave. It was a great bunch of guys with Joel in the lead. He was a wealth of information. After leaving Kentucky I worked with Joel in various locations. Joel always had the same pleasant attitude. I began to understand this attitude while we were at opening day for the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. To paraphrase Joel's thoughts on baseball, "during the game, you can arrive late or just get up and leave for awhile,maybe for a walk or a beer, or even have a good discussion; and once your ready to resume watching the game you can easily blend back into it." I think this thought carried over into Joel's life which seemed to be a low stress way of living. Joel was a leader and in charge. Blessed with meticulous thinking ability Joel could salvage any situation. During one job assignment the situation was pretty grim. The FSR at the site had given 2-weeks notice, the system was freezing with pipes rupturing, membranes had to be replaced, spare membranes were thought to be frozen, among other things. I was given the call to go. I got there and assessed the situation and was honestly overwhelmed. Well at some point the FSR says, "some guy name Joel Robinson is coming." What a feeling of relief. After Joel's first day there I asked the FSR if he would give Joel the time he needed to salvage the system and then make a decision on quiting. Joel made an impression. And not only did he complete his task but he also came back afterwards to assist at the site. Joel's home was maybe 2 hours away and he was at home off the road on a well earned break and would still come by to give a hand. And I would like to say this to James, I am deeply sadden with your fathers death. I can't imagine what you feel. Your father cared a great deal for you-he loved you, his voice would change a bit when he talked of you. He was always thinking of your future. I give to you and your family my condolence. Your father will be missed. I imagine though he has already encountered a Trappist Monk and they are in deep discussion over a choice brew of Chimay. We will miss you Joel...

NAME: David W. Demmin

LOCATION: Norfolk, VA

E-MAIL: david.demmin@ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: It’s taken almost a month for me to accept the fact that Joel has passed on. I guess I really thought he was immortal. Putting so many thoughts and feelings into a couple paragraphs will be tough, but I’ll try. I first met Joel in the summer of 1993 at a job in the Okeelanta Sugar Mill in Bell Glades Florida. This was the original Hell job - Built on top of a bog of rotting Molasses with nothing but swampland for hours in any direction. Three stoplights and five liquor stores augmented the country’s highest aids and unemployment rates per capita. We worked in a cloud of mosquitoes, with alligators swimming in the ditches just under our feet. We were just coming to terms with the facts that we were not the top tier predators in the food chain and that we couldn’t make this job work. Then Joel arrived. After a few niceties and expletives, he set to work with an uncanny zen like calm and focus changing things around, tweaking this, moving that. Within two days, we were back on line and better off than day one. People had the foresight to send him in to set up this job when it was repeated in 1994. That project remains one of my favorites. Joel was the lead man in so many ways. We were all within a couple weeks to a couple years out of college, so Joel was like a father figure to us, but never condescending or bossy. I never saw him make a mistake. You only questioned Joel’s decisions when you wanted to learn something, and if you asked, he would take the time to teach you. Outside of the job, Joel was even better to have around. My heart goes out to Joel and his family. We are all very fortunate to have known him.

NAME: Allison Moody

LOCATION: Norfolk VA

E-MAIL: allison.moody@ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: I was on the road when I heard about Joel and I was heartbroken not to be able to pay my respects. Joel was not only a colleague, but a personal friend. His loss will be felt nationwide because he was a talented mechanical engineer and a unique man. He showed up at my jobsite in California in June 1997 and we've been great friends ever since. To me, he was "Joelly" (he didn't seem to mind). My favorite memory of him was when he was presenting research at one of our technical meetings and a picture of six dead squirrels popped up on the screen, right in the middle of his data. It was hilarious. We all got a kick out of that one! Sometimes I'd get a call around 9:00 pm or so and it'd be Joel. I'd answer the phone with, "What bier garden are you in and which one are you drinking?" He introduced me, a solid wine drinker, to Lambic Framboise and we shared a couple cold ones at his family's place on Pleasant Ridge on my one trip up there spring 2003. I feel lucky that Joel shared his West Virginia with me. I spoke to him while he was on vacation a couple days before the flood. I had seen the movie "Garden State" and the lead female called the lead male "Joelly", so I told him it made me think of him. We laughed. We talked about his dream trip to Belgium and the leaves changing in W. Va. I still can't believe he's not here and I miss him like crazy. I will never drink a Framboise without thinking of him.

NAME: David Cutner

LOCATION: Peterborough, UK

E-MAIL: david.cutner@ecolochemintl.com

COMMENTS: We have only just heard about this tragedy here in the UK. I only met Joel during the recent Ecolochem Technical Meeting in Norfolk. He never stopped smiling! We are all shocked and saddened. I have a bottle of Chimay at home. I will drink a toast to him tonight.

NAME: Bill Schmidt

LOCATION: Hampton, VA

E-MAIL: manb4time@mindspring.com

COMMENTS: Since I left the wrong E-mail address the first time need to leave one more message. I think I will have to pay 6 people to be my pall bearer and Joel people would have paid to be yours. After reading all the nice said about you Joel it looks like you could walk on and this one time,my friend, I truely wish you could have.

NAME: Simon Gare

LOCATION: Peterborough, UK

E-MAIL: simon.gare@ecolochemintl.com

COMMENTS: To the Family, I knew Joel through work and several meetings we had both attended over the last few years. I will miss his abilities but most of all the tales of squirrels and the lively conversation about Belgian beer. I'm sorry he never made it over here that we could try one. From all of us over here, we will miss him. Simon.

NAME: Bob Walker

LOCATION: Pinellas Park, FL

E-MAIL: bwalker@tampabay.rr.com

COMMENTS: Mole, Very sorry I didn't make it up to say goodbye. We had yet another hurricane coming at us that weekend. We shared many, many great times, and you taught me many things about life. I hope I was able to return the favor. You will be sadly missed by me, as well as many others I have spoken to. I know you are still out there in some form, and I hope that you are resting peacefully, and will occasionally check in to let me know you are OK. when the time is right, I will put together a special batch of homebrew in your honor. I will miss you immensely. Your friend..... Love, Bobby

NAME: Eric Tate

LOCATION: Norfolk,VA

E-MAIL: eric.tate@ecolochem.com

COMMENTS: I had the priveledge of working with Joel at my first job in Florida. Joel trained me and basically tought me everything I know about the operation of Ecolochem's equipment. I enjoyed the time we spent in the field and absorbed as much knowledge from Joel as I could. He was very intelligent and quite witty. Joel loved his Indians, Swisher Sweets and ice cream. He always seemed to relax at night with a beer or two also. He will be greatly missed and was quite an asset to Ecolochem. My heart goes out to his family and especially his son who will never get learn from Joel as a lot if us did.

NAME: Elisa Robinson Sobutka

LOCATION: Moundsville,WV

E-MAIL: ElisaRDH76@aol.com

COMMENTS: To my wonderful brother on what would have been his 46th birthday....Certainly, in my mind , there can be no sister who ever felt more blessed than I. To have been able to say, PROUDLY, of the gentlest, kindest soul I have ever known; Joel Robinson is MY brother. My heart longs for the companionship and calmness your presence brought to my life, For your astounding recall of our childhood everyday uneventful happenings,for your infectuious laugh, your deep sensitivity,your easy brilliance, and your selfless love for a little boy, your son, James. May God's peace be with you, and also with all of us who loved you in this life, and will hold on to the memory of the joy your presence brought to all our lives. To the person that I hav e known the longest in my life, thank you for your unconditional love, The buttercream rose is yours today Jody...

NAME: Jon Hunt

LOCATION: Peterborough, UK

E-MAIL: jon.hunt@ecolochemintl.com

COMMENTS: Joel, you will be sorely missed. The US technical meetings won't be the same without you. God Bless.

NAME: Burt E.FitzHugh

LOCATION: 404 Fox Dr. Greenville, KY 42345

E-MAIL:

COMMENTS: I first met Joel in 1999 when I hired on with the company he was employed with. Immediately I was amazed at the uncanny ability he had for trouble-shooting and problem solving. Further, I was taken by his generous heart and ginuine concern for the new fellows. Much of what I learned I learned from Joel. He was the best field man I've ever met, and a good man, and he was a good friend. He took time to teach a then young fellow because he cared. I worked long hours with him, shared many meals with him, and recognized that God had introduced me to Joel for my benefit. The news of his passing was indeed hard to bear. How he doded over his son - I've scarcely known fathers that loved their children that much, to hold them in such high regard, not attempting to live their lives through their children, but loving their children unconditionally. To some, Joel may have seemed an average man. I argue the contrary, because Joel Mitchell Robinson was, is, and ever shall be redeemed by Jesus Christ. This I knew shortly after we met, and my convictions in the Lord are that I shall again work with Joel, but in the Kingdom of God. I write this so that you may be assured that Joel was no ordinary man, and that his was not a wasted life of meaningless travel. No, quite the contrary; the passing of such a man would not bring grief to the heart of a simple little preacher in rural Kentucky. But that you know that in his travels, Joel did great work with his heart toward a lesser fellow in a place next to nowhere, and shall not be forgotton, so I write to you. May the grace and peace of God be with you all.

NAME: Ed and Ciss Nieratko

LOCATION: Hudson Fl. - Natives of Moundsville W V

E-MAIL: mission3@gte.net

COMMENTS: Dear Mole I'm coming home next week to visit my family, i'll be so sad to see you under the circumstances that will take me to the creek. I'll miss that big bear hug I always get. I enjoyed our visit when I was home this past Febuary. Out of all our crew you are the only one who made it a point to visit us so far from home when we were lonely and missing our friends and families.That visit ment the world to us. We've been friends of mole's since high school and Moundsville just won't seem like the same place without him. We were so frightened of hurricane Ivan, it was heading for our area and we had already suffered loss and damage from hurricaine Frances, so we were relieved when he turned away, now i think about what we've all lost and would gladly give up every thing we own to keep such a great person in our lives. Reading all the postings on this web site makes us realize how lucky we were to have mole in our lives for the short time that he graced us with his company and friendship our most heartfelt feelings to all friends and espically family members of mole love Ed and Ciss Nieratko