Posted on 05/06/2008 11:59:22 AM PDT by Borges
Irvine Robbins, co-founder of Baskin-Robbins whose penchant for creating unusual ice-cream flavors helped push post-World War II America far beyond its chocolate-vanilla-strawberry tastes, has died. He was 90.
Robbins, who opened his first ice-cream shop in 1945 in Glendale, died Monday of complications related to old age at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, said his daughter, Marsha Veit.
With his brother-in-law and partner, Burton Baskin, Robbins displayed a keen sense of fun and a flair for marketing that helped turn some of their frozen treats into cultural touchstones.
When the Dodgers came to Los Angeles in 1958, they were greeted with Baseball Nut, complete with raspberries for the umpires. Lunar Cheesecake was launched the day after man landed on the moon in 1969. At the height of Beatlemania in 1964, a reporter asked Robbins what flavor would salute the Fab Four; Baskin-Robbins had yet to invent one, but Robbins replied, "Uh, Beatle Nut, of course" and had it in stores in five days.
He delighted in inventing new flavors and naming them, including Plum Nuts (plums, vanilla and walnuts), ChaChaCha (cherry chocolate chip), or his personal favorite, Jamoca Almond Fudge. By the time he retired in 1978, the company was selling some 20 million gallons of ice cream a year in more than 2,000 stores around the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
RIP. So many good memories...
“AHA! Just as I suspected...Thirty-TWO flavors...” ~ The Question, Justice League Unlimited.
Class act...will be missed.
Sounds like he really enjoyed his life. Prayers.
Baskin-Robbins is why I have to exercise everyday and eat fruit instead of ice cream. 10 more lbs to go.
I’ll never forget when BR showed up in our little town in the 60s... I thought it was too many flavors. :) How’s a kid supposed to make up his mind?
I love their “Date-Nut” ice cream only sold during date season. Yum!
My very first job was at a Baskin-Robbins when I was 14. If anyone was wondering, grape ice and peanut butter and chocolate were the two hardest flavors to scoop, night in and night out.
R.I.P., Mr Robbins.
I have many happy memories of going to B.R. as a kid. :)
Along with their Cappaccino Blast.
Mocha almond fudge.
The best, by far, was that famous ice cream of the Great Depression - Rocky Road!
I’m remembering coconut-almond-fudge ice cream right now...used to have it made into a shake (with no syrup), with a side-car...Man, was that some good stuff!
Rest In Peace, we know what they’re having for dessert in Heaven these days.
And no one has mentioned Pralines ‘n Cream yet? Absolutely sinful with a little hot fudge and a banana.
I’ve licked his work for years.
My Hero!
Will have to mention this at WeightWatchers.
Well, they can't all be winners, I guess. I recall reading years ago that they had tried to come up with a gumdrop ice cream, which didn't make the cut because frozen gumdrops are hard enough to chip teeth.
What I remeber most is:
1) My baseball teams being treated to BR after victories
2) Certificates for free ice cream on your birthday
Nam Vet
RIP.
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