State Rep. Isaac Robinson dies of suspected coronavirus complications

State Rep. Isaac Robinson, D-Detroit, died Sunday morning at Detroit Medical Center Hospital of a suspected coronavirus infection.

House Minority Leader Chris Greig, D-Farmington Hills, said she spoke with Robinson on Thursday night and he told her he hadn’t been feeling well.

“But he was pretty stubborn,” she said, and didn’t go to the hospital until Sunday. “I spoke with (his mother) Rose Mary tonight and she’s in shock and she told me she believes it was COVID-19.”

Robinson is one of several prominent metro Detroiters believed to have died or be infected by the virus.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig and Highland Park Police Chief Hilton Napoleon have both been diagnosed with the illness. Detroit community leader Marlowe Stoudamire, Detroit police homicide Capt. Jonathan Parnell and Wayne County Sheriff's Cmdr. Donafay Collins have all died.

Robinson, 44, was a frequent participant in protests over everything from water shutoffs, air quality and working conditions of everyday Detroiters.

About two weeks before his death, Robinson and state Rep. Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, accompanied by a laid-off casino worker and a Wayne State University student, called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to institute a statewide ban on all utility shut-offs and evictions amid the coronavirus outbreak.

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“Anytime Isaac spoke, anytime he was working on something, it was with a huge passion and focus on making lives better for Detroiters,” Greig said. “It’s just heartbreaking for our caucus, the city and the state."

Whitmer said Robinson had “a huge heart, a quick wit, and a genuine passion for the people.”

“He was a fierce advocate for Detroiters and people across Southeast Michigan," she said in a statement. "He dedicated his career to ensuring justice and security for those he served, and the impact he had on his community will continue to be felt for years to come."

Robinson, a lawyer and prominent community activist, was in his first term in the state House of Representatives, taking over the seat held by his mother, former state Rep. Mary Robinson. He served on the Commerce and Tourism, Regulatory Reform and Tax Policy committees.

Robinson wasn’t in the Legislature the last time that the House met on March 17 and was given an excused absence.

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Robinson received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan before attending Northwestern University School of Law.

He helped organize health care workers, served as a law clerk for the UAW's legal department, and worked as an aide in the U.S. and state House of Representatives and the Detroit City Council before he won his seat in the state House.

When news of his death became public Sunday evening, tributes from colleagues and friends began to pour in through news releases and on Twitter.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said his heart goes out to Robinson's mother, his father, Roger, and his many loved ones.

"Representative Isaac Robinson fought passionately for the issues he believed in and for those in our community who needed a strong advocate like him," Duggan said. "... His passing is a devastating loss to our community and another reminder of how we all need to do our part to protect ourselves and each other in these difficult times."

Attorney General Dana Nessel called Robinson a prince of a man.

“No one who worked harder or loved his community more," she said. "No better person who has walked this earth. My heart is broken.”

Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, also called the death a terrible loss.

"Isaac Robinson was a tremendous friend and colleague, and we will all feel the sting of his passing,” he said. “I will remember him as a passionate defender of the City of Detroit and the people who lived there. He cared deeply for that city, and his genuine love for its residents shined through in everything he did and in every decision he made.”

The state Senate Democrats called the death terrible news in a statement.

“We are absolutely heartbroken to hear of Isaac’s untimely death. Isaac was a fighter for his district and proudly carried on the family tradition of advocating for the working people of Michigan. This is just terrible news and we will hold the Robinson family close in our prayers tonight.”

University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker said that Robinson spoke at one of the last board meetings to talk about a problem that a constituent was having with parking at the university.

“He was incredibly engaging and empathetic to all around him, and this is a huge loss to our legislature and the city of Detroit,” he said.

Contact Darcie Moran: dmoran@freepress.com.