Dave & Marie Robben Family Foundation Fund
The Robben family has a long history at St. Ignatius Parish. Herman and Francis Robben were members of the parish along with their young family dating back to the 1930’s. Herman and Francis had seven children that were raised in the family home near the parish on 34th& Powell. All seven children received their sacraments at St. Ignatius church and all seven attended the parish school. Their children are: Barbara (Millar), Lionel, David, Joan (Courtney), Dolores (Orth), Doris (Eades), and Jack.
Their sons Lionel and Dave carried on the family business, Robben & Sons Heating here in S.E. Portland. Jack started his own company in Lincoln City. Both Lionel and Dave remained active in the parish and school. Robben and Sons Heating helped to provide heating and service work to both the school and church.
Marie Amato and her family, including her sisters Eleanore (Baccellieri) and Dorene (Dehen) have been dedicated members of St. Phillip Neri Parish. Her parents, Gus and Mary Amato, were members of St. Phillip Neri Parish for over 80 years. They valued Catholic Education and were strong supporters of the Holy Name Sisters who were the back bone of St. Phillip Neri School.
In 1948 St. Ignatius and St. Phillip Neri had a combined young peoples club dance. Dave and Marie met at this dance, as well as two of Marie’s friends who also met their future husbands at this dance. Marie and Dave were married in 1951.
After living in Tennessee while Dave was in the service, Dave and Marie settled in Ladd’s Addition, in S.E. Portland. They had five children: Patty (Surface) Kathy (Burns), Paul, Sue (Schweitzer) and Judi (Copp). All of whom attended St. Phillip Neri School. In the early 1980’s Dave and Marie returned to St. Ignatius as their home parish.
Dave & Marie were very proud when their youngest daughter Judi, became a member of the St. Ignatius School faculty as a teacher in 1986. She taught in the school for over 12 years. Several of their grandchildren have attended St. Ignatius School with their youngest granddaughter graduating in the class of 2011. Two of their granddaughters received the “Mother Marie Rose” award when they graduated from St. Ignatius. This award is named after the founder of the Holy Name Sisters who Dave and Marie have always admired for their dedication to children and their constant presence at St. Ignatius School.
As devoted Catholics, Dave and Marie have always been strong supporters of the church and catholic education. Having grown up with modest means Dave always wanted to be able to help repay the kindness shown to his family. This strong connection to the school and to the sisters who ministered at St. Ignatius was always the driving force behind the commitment they have to catholic education.
In the early 1990’s Dave, joined the St. Ignatius Foundation as a board member. He, along with Bob Harris and Bob Stark and many others, shared a vision to start a foundation for the long term financial stability and support of St. Ignatius School. It was very important to those founding members that all children have access to a Catholic education regardless of their ability to pay.
We have formed The Dave and Marie Robben Family Fund in hopes that future students of St. Ignatius School will be given the opportunity to attend, given the financial assistance to make it possible.
Their sons Lionel and Dave carried on the family business, Robben & Sons Heating here in S.E. Portland. Jack started his own company in Lincoln City. Both Lionel and Dave remained active in the parish and school. Robben and Sons Heating helped to provide heating and service work to both the school and church.
Marie Amato and her family, including her sisters Eleanore (Baccellieri) and Dorene (Dehen) have been dedicated members of St. Phillip Neri Parish. Her parents, Gus and Mary Amato, were members of St. Phillip Neri Parish for over 80 years. They valued Catholic Education and were strong supporters of the Holy Name Sisters who were the back bone of St. Phillip Neri School.
In 1948 St. Ignatius and St. Phillip Neri had a combined young peoples club dance. Dave and Marie met at this dance, as well as two of Marie’s friends who also met their future husbands at this dance. Marie and Dave were married in 1951.
After living in Tennessee while Dave was in the service, Dave and Marie settled in Ladd’s Addition, in S.E. Portland. They had five children: Patty (Surface) Kathy (Burns), Paul, Sue (Schweitzer) and Judi (Copp). All of whom attended St. Phillip Neri School. In the early 1980’s Dave and Marie returned to St. Ignatius as their home parish.
Dave & Marie were very proud when their youngest daughter Judi, became a member of the St. Ignatius School faculty as a teacher in 1986. She taught in the school for over 12 years. Several of their grandchildren have attended St. Ignatius School with their youngest granddaughter graduating in the class of 2011. Two of their granddaughters received the “Mother Marie Rose” award when they graduated from St. Ignatius. This award is named after the founder of the Holy Name Sisters who Dave and Marie have always admired for their dedication to children and their constant presence at St. Ignatius School.
As devoted Catholics, Dave and Marie have always been strong supporters of the church and catholic education. Having grown up with modest means Dave always wanted to be able to help repay the kindness shown to his family. This strong connection to the school and to the sisters who ministered at St. Ignatius was always the driving force behind the commitment they have to catholic education.
In the early 1990’s Dave, joined the St. Ignatius Foundation as a board member. He, along with Bob Harris and Bob Stark and many others, shared a vision to start a foundation for the long term financial stability and support of St. Ignatius School. It was very important to those founding members that all children have access to a Catholic education regardless of their ability to pay.
We have formed The Dave and Marie Robben Family Fund in hopes that future students of St. Ignatius School will be given the opportunity to attend, given the financial assistance to make it possible.