Phil Robison Oral History Interview

Oral history interview by Mary Heers with Phil Robison. Topics include: His participation in tennis and basketball in high school; His participation in track at BYU; His cousin, Clarence Robison, being a member of the 1948 USA 5,000-meter team at the Olympics in London; Growing up in Fillmore; His grandfather's service as territorial senator and contributions to the territorial building in Fillmore; Becoming a teacher after graduating from BYU and his thirty-eight year career in education and coaching; Being drafted into the Army during WWII; Enjoying athletics and his participation in boxing, baseball, basketball during his military service; Being sick with Tularemia when his group was shipped out to the Philippine Islands and after his recovery being sent to Fort Custer, Michigan for military police training; Working as military police during the invasion of Normandy; His experience crossing the Panama Canal; Military service in European and Pacific campaigns; Enjoying dancing after his return to the U.S.; His grandaughter winning a World Championship for ballroom dancing while attending UVU; Enjoying coaching and helping athletes; Meeting his future wife while attending a dance at BYU; Marriage and children, and his wife's occasional work as his substitute teacher.

Mr. Philip Robison was born in Fillmore, Utah, in 1923. He was involved in track and field at BYU. He made a lifetime of athletics, trying out for professional baseball teams and being recruited by basketball teams. He served in the military police during World War II, and was there for the Invasion of Normandy. He tells some stories of his experiences in World War II, and talks about his love of dance. He was a teacher for his entire career, and was a coach along with that.