Robert Corbin

Robert Henry Corbin, 85, of Steinhatchee, FL, passed away Friday, October 20, 2023. He had been surrounded by his family and friends. Robert is survived by his children, Lynn Stagg, Connie Vest (James), Lee, Bill (Kelly), Steve (Cindy), Shawnda (Michelle Borders). Sisters Patsy Highsmith, Vivian Daniels, and brother Ben (Ruby) Corbin, 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and a "host" of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife Carol Corbin, parents Henry and Magdalene Corbin, sister Floretta Lamb, brothers Willard, Rayburn and Theadus Corbin. When he was a teenager, he and one of his brothers would often travel to Marathon, in the Keys, to work on fishing boats. Around 1958, he met Milton Santini and helped him build Santini’s Porpoise School, by catching and training dolphins for several aquariums and theme parks. While with Santini, Robert trained the dolphin (Mitzi) that the TV series "Flipper" was based on. Robert soon moved on to Floridaland, in Osprey Florida, where he continued entertaining audiences and astonishing the dolphin training "community" with his effortless new tricks. He trained numerous dolphins for different theme parks around the world, and even a few for the US Navy. That was just the beginning of his accomplishments in the "training" world. First to perform the triple jump, Roman ride, open water dolphin shows, and one of a handful in the world to be able to catch and train a dolphin from the wild. Which he later passed on to his son Bill. While at Floridaland, Robert met and fell in love with his wife, Carol, of 46 years and her 3 sons. When Floridaland closed in 1971, Robert and his family moved to Long Beach, MS. They both worked for Marine Life for a few more years before Robert turned to shrimping and continued his life on the ocean. Robert showed his sons and daughters his love for the ocean. His love extended beyond the shores to his family when he finally retired. He loved playing with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and pretty much any 'sweet baby' he could get his arms around. He returned to Steinhatchee after his Sweetie passed, where he lived with his brother and sisters. He gained an even bigger following of grandkids, nieces, nephews, and relatives to spread his love to. He answered to many names, Daddy, brother, uncle, friend and especially Paw Paw. Those connections kept him young for a long time. He was a loving man to us all. May you always see the rainbows in the sky and the stars in the night. When you get home tell everyone, that we will be there soon. Arrangements have been placed under the care of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Cross City Chapel, with locations in Cross City 352-498-5400 and Chiefland 352-493-0050. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com

Robert Corbin

February 10, 1938 - October 20, 2023