Robertson "Robin" B. Foley

Robertson “Robin” B. Foley passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Robin was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma in 1938 to Emmett and Ione Foley.

Rosary will be at 12:30 pm, Mass will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 20, 2026, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Robin (the patriarch of our family) could be described as a stoic kind of guy but with a sense of humor. He was a thinker, an intellectual, and a decision maker. Robin was generous with his time and treasure, a successful entrepreneur who taught us about hard work, accountability, loyalty and faith in God through all times.

Robin moved with his birth family to Plainview, KS at age 4 or 5 and then to Wichita where his father was an attorney for Boeing. He attended church at Blessed Sacrament and as a young boy went to Holy Savior Catholic School. He attended St. Mary’s High School and lettered in baseball, basketball and football. He graduated in 1956 with a scholarship to play football at Wichita State University. Robin could run the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds and played quarterback. He reported once that he played wide receiver as a freshman and scored. He was proud of that. While at Wichita State University, he majored in engineering and enrolled in business school but later chose to go into business with his brother, Dan. In 1960 they formed a partnership and began what would later become a staple around Wichita called Taco Tico. The business would take them traveling quite a bit to other states and provided for both of their families. Robin made his whole family proud.

When the business was just getting a start, Robin stated that he was lucky enough to meet his beautiful future wife, Karen by introduction from his sister, Margaret. Robin recalled the first song they danced to, and it was called “Satin Doll,” and their first date was at The Candle Club, which is still in business today. At the time, Karen was a receptionist at Elmer Fox & Co., a place where Margaret (Robin’s sister) was dating a guy named David. Robin and Karen were wed in a grand double wedding ceremony along with Margaret and David. The couples were married at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on February 23, 1963. After years of wedded bliss, and when football, basketball, and baseball were gone, Robin took up golf. But when he lost all his clubs in the water….. he decided to take up fishing and hunting instead…

All joking aside, he was an avid hunter and fisherman and two of his favorite places to fish or hunt were Granola & Quail Lake. Robin had a great love for German shorthair pointers. He trained and adored these animals. Each time one passed it was heartbreak. He took pride in them all. No doubt he is hunting behind them all right now with a strong new body and a huge smile on his face.

Robin stayed very involved in the church until he was unable to. Early on, he became a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus. He and Karen were founding members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. He was a member of the St. Thomas finance council and head usher for St. Thomas Aquinas church for many years. He has been a loyal and humble servant financially to the church, Newman University, Catholic Care Center, and the Guadalupe Health Clinic, serving as president for several years. Robin worked the Wine Fest raising money, donating to it, and being a board member for many years. He has contributed to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Wichita Crime Commission as a past board member, has sponsored children in India through CFCA, given to St. Jude and other causes, and was involved as a Big Brother with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for 3-4 years mentoring a child.

Robin loved his family, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. You could NEVER pay a restaurant bill ever when with him and if you tried, you’d get that look. He wouldn’t have it. He was a giver not a taker. His sacrifices, hard work, gifts of talent and treasure are soon to be rewarded. Robin, thank you for all you have done for the Foley family, for loving our Karen, providing for the family, and helping the community, even for those you never knew. Until we meet again, job well done good and faithful servant.

Robin is preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Ione Foley; brother, Daniel E. Foley; brother-in-law, David Vink; and daughter, Kimberely S. Foley-Watson.

Robin is survived by his wife, Karen (Hibbs) Foley; sister, Margaret (Foley) Vink; son, Shawn (Stacey) Foley; daughter, Stacia Foley; grandchildren, Lauren (James) Butler, Hope (Cory) Abbott, Alex (Abby) Foley, Chase, Kyler and Beckett Foley, Molly, Trinity and Marissa Watson; great-grandchildren, Lennon, Parker, Lorelei and Brantley, and great-grandson on the way.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with: Guadalupe Clinic, 940 S. St. Francis, Wichita, KS 67211; St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N. Stratford, Wichita, KS 67206.

Grab your dog, hunting/fishing gear, some chocolate (or anything sweet), and raise a cherry Pepsi or glass of wine to the Patriarch of our family! Forever loved.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.