Former Florida Institute of Technology Student Robbin Louise Cochran Passes Away
By Space Coast Daily // April 13, 2017
Passed away In San Juan on March 10
Robbin Louise Cochran was born May 25, 1983, in Billings, Montana to Carol (Bafus) and Ronald Cochran. Though she grew up in Montana, she considered Florida’s Space Coast her true home.
She also spent time in New York, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico, where she died in San Juan on March 10, 2017.
Robbin was exceptionally intelligent and strove toward her education in astronomy despite opting out of high school in favor of her GED. Her hard work saw her accepted to the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne to study astronomy and astrophysics.
She watched NASA shuttle launches from her balcony in Melbourne, a place she called the home of her dreams.
Robbin wielded a piercing wit and an encyclopedic knowledge of Star Trek trivia. She was passionate in her defense of the less fortunate and marginalized.
As a teenager, she volunteered at Planned Parenthood and she continued to proudly support and promote feminism as an adult by holding the vice presidency in her local chapter of the National Organization of Women. She cared deeply for animals, particularly homeless and needy felines. Her cats Jovi and Eris consoled her through many hard times.
Like so many gifted individuals, Robbin struggled openly with mental illness. Much of the time, she believed the world to be a wretched place and chafed at having to exist within its confines.
Despite the obstacles in place, she sought to overcome the insurmountable burden of living by way of activism, dark humor and her beloved purple nail polish.
Robbin was preceded in death by her mother, Carol. She is survived by her family: sister, Diane Cochran; brother-in-law, Kent Sipe; and best friend, Brandy Sejeck. Cremation has taken place, and no local services are planned. Memorials may be made in her name to Planned Parenthood or any animal rescue organization.
