Stephen J Robbins

Stephen J. Robbins, 81, of Chester, New Jersey, passed away on March 12, 2026. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1944 to Alex and Rose Robbins, Steve served in the US Air Force before earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Seton Hall University. He enjoyed a long career with American Cyanamid, where he worked for twenty-five years until his retirement in 1995. In 1993, he played a key role in the company’s acquisition of Shell Petroleum’s agricultural chemical business, a transaction valued at more than $700 million that significantly strengthened Cyanamid’s presence in Europe.

In 1987, Steve and his wife Mary opened the Little Professor Book Center in Morris Plains, New Jersey. Their store was recognized as the franchise’s Store of the Year in 1989, a reflection of their dedication and hard work.

Steve is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; his children, Lisa Schwartz of Princeton, New Jersey, Michael Robbins of Freeport, Maine, and James Robbins of San Francisco, California; and three grandchildren. He will be remembered for his intelligence, entrepreneurial spirit, and the quiet strength he brought to his family and professional life.