195 N. Buffalo Grove Road 
Buffalo GroveIL  
60089
8851 Skokie Boulevard 
SkokieIL  
60077
Phone: 847-478-1600 
Fax: 847-478-1616   

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Obituary for Sheldon Neal Robbins

Sheldon Neal  Robbins
Sheldon Neal Robbins, 78, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away peacefully Monday January 9, 2017. He was surrounded by family and loved ones throughout the holidays and until his passing.

Born on May 10, 1938 in Chicago, IL to his parents Dr. Jerome Robbins, a dentist in the United States Navy, and Roe Robbins, a public servant and philanthropist, Sheldon graduated Hyde Park High School, earned a B. S. from Drake University in Chemistry and a second B. A. from Roosevelt University in Accounting. Sheldon married Barbara Lynn Robbins (Corenman) on June 16, 1963, an elementary school teacher, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage.

Sheldon began his career as a Certified Public Accountant and management consultant for Arthur Young in Chicago in 1966, after which he joined Madison Square Garden Chicago Operations as Controller in 1972, including Arlington Park Race Track, Washington Park, Madison Concessions, O’Hare International Tower Hotel and Arlington Park Hotel. Over an eleven year career he ascended to Treasurer and then CFO of Arlington and related entities and concurrently was President of Printing Specialties, a commercial printing business in Arlington Heights. In 1983 Sheldon became President of Maywood Park Race Track, where he earned honors as Harness Horseman of the Year for his innovations in his first year in turning Maywood into the “Friendly Track”. In 1984, he returned to Arlington as co-owner and Chief Operating Officer as part of a four-person ownership group that purchased the then money-losing track from Gulf and Western. Under his leadership, Arlington was quickly brought to profitability.

Unfortunately, on July 31, 1985 the 58 year old race track burned down as the result of an electrical fire. Undaunted, the team cleared the rubble and built temporary stands to host their most important race – the “Arlington Million” – only 25 days later in what was dubbed by the press as the “Miracle Million”. Sheldon was awarded an Eclipse Award, horse racing’s highest honor, for being the driving force in the herculean execution of the Miracle Million whose attendance topped 35,000. He was bought out as a partial owner in 1986 and stayed on as a consultant to ensure the replacement building would be completed to provide continued employment opportunities for many individuals and families in and around his hometown of Arlington Heights.

Since retiring from Arlington, he operated as a consultant, entrepreneur and civic leader, including serving as President of the Stonegate Community Center and various charitable boards in Arizona and as President of Robbins Family Racing that allowed him to share his love of horseracing with his wife, children and grandchildren. Most recently, his colt “My Friend Flavin”, named in honor of his late friend and fellow horseman Patrick Flavin, won the $100,000 Louisiana Derby Sprint in December.

Sheldon was diagnosed with advanced stage Renal Cancer in early December. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his brothers Harrison and Mark, his daughter Ellen and her partner Paul, his son Larry and his wife Sarahmay, his granddaughter Alexa and his five grandsons Justin, Adam, Dylan, Ryan and Zander.

The Funeral Service will take place Friday, January 13th at 10:30 a.m. in The Robbins Family Sanctuary at Congregation Beth Judea, 5304 RFD (corner of Route 83 and Hilltop Road), Long Grove, IL 60047. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Beth Judea, www.bethjudea.org/page/donations or to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, c/o Eileen Wilson, 7380 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 or email eileenw@scottsdalearts.org. Info: The Goldman Funeral Group, www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com (847) 478-1600.
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