Orren Bourne Robbins, 89, of South Dartmouth, died peacefully at home on January 11, 2022. Born in Barnstable, he was a son of the late Percy Burton and Sara Hatch (Jones) Robbins. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a Radioman 3rd Class aboard the radar picket ship the U.S.S. Earle B. Hall with the Beachmaster Amphibious Assault Group.

Orren began his career in the newspaper business in the early 1960's, selling ads for Cape Cod Standard-Times and was promoted to Classified manager by 1966. In 1971 the Ottaway Newspaper group promoted him to Assistant General Manager of Plattsburgh Press Republican in upper state New York. In 1974, Orren once again was on the move back to the Cape Cod Standard-Times and promoted to General Manager. The year 1979 found Orren in Traverse City, Michigan, now the Publisher of the Traverse City Record Eagle.

 In 1984 Orren's final promotion was to become President and Publisher of the New Bedford Standard-Times, the flagship of the Ottaway Newspaper group a position he held until his retirement in 1994. Orren was very active with United Way of Greater New Bedford, serving as Campaign Chairman from 1990-1991, Chairman of Board of Directors from 1994-1997, and was on the Board of Directors from 1992-2013. Orren was honored in 2013 as an Honorary Board Member at its 60th celebration. 

He was a Rotarian for over 43 years. He joined Rotary in 1971 and they made him an Honorary Member in 2015. His service highlights included President of New Bedford Rotary in 1997, District Governor, and Paul Harris Fellow.

Orren was an avid musician, playing the guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and the spoons. During his tenure in Traverse City, he helped form a 15-piece bluegrass band known as the "Better Than Nothing Band".

Orren was the husband of the late Bonnie Jean (Eldredge) Robbins; beloved father of Orren Robbins Jr. and his wife Frankie of South Carolina, David Robbins his fiancée Debra White Stewart of Marion, Stephen Robbins of Norfolk, and the late Kenneth Robbins; loving grandfather of Sarah Robbins, Zachary Robbins, Bethanie Robbins, Amanda Robbins, Sarah White, and Josh White; great-grandfather of six; brother of the late Burton Robbins and the late Etta Crosby; long term friend of Mary Frances Terpeny; and an uncle of many nieces and nephews. Orren also leaves his devoted caretaker Maria Andreza.

Private family burial to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Sacred Heart Home, 359 Summer St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or Destroyer Escort Historical Foundation, PO Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201-1926. Visit www.waittfuneralhome.com or call 508-583-7272.