Police: Elderly wife may have shot ill husband before turning gun on herself

(If you know of anyone who needs assistance, please offer your time or refer them to services like ours.  This is tragic and we need to recognize the stress our elderly community endures)

The lives of artist Barbara Robinson and her husband, Richard, were surrounded by vibrant colors — in their home, garden and artwork.

But at the end of their lives, poor health dimmed those colors to darkness.

Richard Robinson, 76, and his wife Barbara, 83, were both found in bed with single gunshot wounds to their heads Saturday morning in their LaBar Village Stroudsburg townhouse.  Police believe Barbara Robinson shot her elderly husband before she turned the gun on herself this weekend.

According to police, Barbara was despondent over the health of her husband, who suffered from dementia.

"There was a woman from the church over there the night before," according to Stroud Area Regional Police Lt. Brian Kimmins.

"She said Barbara was crying that there was no one there to help her. The volunteer said, 'No, I'm here to help you, and I'll be back tomorrow to make you breakfast.'"

That same woman returned the next morning and let herself into the home. She went into the bedroom, discovered the couple in their bed and called 911.

Barbara Robinson was already dead when police arrived, but Richard was taken to Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg. He was later flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, where he died Sunday at 5:20 p.m. without regaining consciousness.

A .32-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver was recovered at the scene. Police believe it was the weapon used in the shootings.

Known as Barbie

"This whole thing has been a terrible shock," neighbor Eleanor Schmit said. They were very nice people. Very friendly, outgoing. People you'd want to be friends with."

Barbara, known to her friends as Barbie, was a trained artist with a master's degree in art education from Temple University. She taught in both the Center City Philadelphia School District and at East Stroudsburg High School. Her work was regularly displayed at local shows.

But as Richard's health deteriorated, Barbie needed more help at home.

"He needed supervision," neighbor Ruth Alberts said. "She (Barbie) went out every single day, and she'd always make sure he was well taken care of."

Alberts recalled the Robinsons as a loving couple.

Barbie was a free spirit who marched to the beat of her own drummer, according to PoconoArts Council Executive Director Laura Goss.

"She was a ball of fire. She loved life," Goss said. "Barbie was upbeat, opinionated and a unique participant in the local arts community, where she will be greatly missed."

Barbie's artwork ran the gamut from stylized frogs to bright and vivid florals and abstracts. "She was especially proud of recent work she created for the Music Motif show at the COTA Jazz Festival last September," according to Goss.

For more info go to poconorecord.com