Edward Robison

‘Big Ed’ Robison passed from this life on April 03 2017. He is being welcomed by all his family and friends that have gone on before him in a most joyous reunion. He was 81 years old and would have turned 82 on September 11. He is survived by his children, Dr. Liana Martinez (Don), Brook, Jodi (Jeff), and Jennifer (Aaron). Big Ed fulfilled his life dream in Salt Lake City where he established Big Ed’s restaurant which is still in business today. He often stated that the years in the restaurant were the best years of his life. Located across from the University of Utah, Big Ed met, fed, befriended and soon became a local celebrity among the University locals. His soups and breakfasts won “We’re the Best” in Utah Holiday magazine and his chili was known to cure the common cold. All 97 soup recipes were kept in his head, and he takes most of those with him. He believed in cooking from scratch and proved it by owning one of the smallest freezers a restaurant could own. Among feeding future doctors, lawyers, thespians and other academics, Big Ed was known for his generosity to friend and stranger alike. He looked forward to the winter’s snow, because he it was his chance to demonstrate his excavating skills on stranded motorists. He held beer benefits where the proceeds went to customers who had recently fallen on hard times; he fed the homeless without question saying that ‘this country throws out so much food, there is no reason for people to go hungry.’ He was Sub-for-Santa and provided several Thanksgiving dinners. He sent doughnuts and coffee to firefighters. He made sure that his employees, many who were university students away from home, had a place to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas. When not working at the restaurant, he spent time doing his favorite hobby – gardening. The family’s backyard was home to 27 various fruit trees, bushes, vines plus a large garden and greenhouse which funneled organic produce into his restaurant long before it was fashionable. He continued his love of gardening through this past summer instructing his daughter about mulching the sandy New Mexico soil for a better yield. He enjoyed feeding her chickens, goat and sheep and had two horses promised to him once a corral was built. He loved animals, especially dogs, and leaves behind in his daughter’s care his beloved Pomeranian Penny who was rescued off a busy highway shortly after his arrival in New Mexico. He spent the final two years of his life with his oldest daughter Liana in Northern New Mexico and he died peacefully at her home. The family would like to thank Del Corazon Hospice, Dr. Kathleen Maley, the staff at Holy Cross Hospital Acute Care and University of New Mexico Medical Intensive Care for the excellent care of their father in the last days of his life. Their compassion will never be forgotten. Ed will be placed at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 12:45PM