This past October, Arthur H. (Robbie) Robinson, a preeminent figure in modern American cartography, whose career spanned six decades, died after a brief illness. His passing was especially poignant to those who graduated from the cartography program here in Madison at the University of Wisconsin - as have many of the employees, past and present, at Mapping Specialists.

Judy Olson, professor of geography at Michigan State and a protégé of Robbie, recalled that he was a fine gentleman and great mentor. Staff at MSL remembered how Robbie remained accessible after his retirement.

His textbook, Elements of Cartography, became the standard for explaining the very principles of our field. A number of his books are at the workstations of employees here. And yes, MSL has reproduced more world maps using the Robinson Projection that he designed than any other world projection.

For those of us in cartography, and especially here in Madison, we pause to remember a man who left such a professional and personal legacy.