Albert Bryant Robbins, 86, former construction exec who devoted retirement to his church

Albert Robbins was never one to waste time, not even in his 80s.

The retired civil engineer and construction executive from Marietta stayed active in volunteer services and hobbies that interested him.

He especially could be counted on to help out at his church, John Knox Presbyterian.

“Al was one of our saints,” said the Rev. Fritz Bogar, pastor of the Marietta church. “Up until a month ago, he had a hand in just about everything around our church, even climbing a ladder and changing our sign out front each Monday morning. It's not an exaggeration to say Al gave four or five days a week to the church.”

Mr. Robbins tutored kids in reading and math, took donations of food and clothing to the shelter, and was the church contact person in helping the homeless.

As an elder, he served as a liturgist, reading from the Bible during Sunday services, and administered communion to hospitalized members of the congregation.

Mr. Robbins retired in 1985 as vice president of Hardin Construction Co. But he still maintained the same Type A work ethic he had displayed throughout his long career, said daughter Mary Wenker of Yakima, Wash.

“Whatever he did, he put all of his dedication and energy into it,” she said. Despite having a demanding job, he still found time to be PTA president and lead a Boy Scout troop when his six children were young, his daughter remembered.

Mr. Robbins joined Hardin in 1975, after the company recruited him from Chicago, where he had been involved in the building of many landmark skyscrapers. He could look across the city’s skyline and see much of his life’s work, Mrs. Wenker said.

He also worked on international projects in Israel, Italy, and in Kenya, where he was involved in the building of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

Hardin hired Mr. Robbins to help the company with major projects, said Senior Vice President Bob Dunn of Vinings. He said Mr. Robbins was a “passionate builder with a fierce determination to do the best job possible.”

"During Atlanta's 1970s building boom, some project managers got in a rut concentrating on finishing their work as quickly as possible. But not Al. He was a stickler for quality as well as meeting his schedule and budget," Mr. Dunn said.

One project Mr. Robbins oversaw was the Georgia Power building in downtown Atlanta. “It was cutting-edge for its time, both in terms of exterior design and energy efficiency," Mr. Dunn said.

Albert Bryant Robbins, 86, of Marietta died Monday at St. Joseph's Hospital of complications from cancer. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at John Knox Presbyterian Church. SouthCare Cremation Society and Memorial Centers, Marietta, is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Robbins, born in Iron Mountain, Mich., was a star track and cross country runner in high school. He attended Michigan Tech University for two years, then joined the Navy during World War II.

He was sent to the University of Wisconsin in the Navy V-12 program, then was commissioned as an ensign in the Seabees, stationed in Hawaii. After the war, he completed his bachelor of science degree at the University of Wisconsin.

He met his wife Jean in 1944 while attending the university. They would have been married 60 years in August.