Roll Call Tribute

Nancy Robinson Grossenbacher 

January 19, 1945 - January 15, 2024 

Nancy Robinson Grossenbacher, 78, of Huntsville Texas, was peacefully called back to her heavenly home on January 15, 2024, after a long illness.

Born January 19th, 1945 to the late former County Judge of Walker County, Frank Robinson, Sr. and Virginia Robinson. A proud native of East Texas through and through, she was born in Huntsville but grew up attending Cleveland High School before the family moved and she graduated from Woodville High School.

A gifted writer Nancy was one of the first women to attend Texas A&M University. She also attended and graduated from Sam Houston State university majoring in journalism. She was inspired by the excellent teachers Skip Lebo and Leon Hale, among others, who taught her to see the world both accurately and creatively.

In 1966 Nancy married Richard Grossenbacher at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Huntsville, and after a wonderful year in Germany settled in San Antonio where she became a well-respected champion supporter and producer in the performing arts.

In 1984 Nancy founded the well-known and respected San Antonio School of the Performing Arts, offering instruction in dance, music, and all aspects of the performing arts. She considered it one of her life's missions to instill and perpetuate a genuine appreciation of the arts in our youth and to nurture the artistic growth of San Antonio for future generations. In 1991 she co-founded both the Alamo City Performing Arts Association and the Alamo City Dance Company which annually presents one of the most enjoyable Nutcracker Ballets in San Antonio as well as other works. She remained as executive director of both the school and dance company until her retirement in 2009. In 2018 she and Richard returned to her East Texas roots residing once again in Huntsville.

Upon retirement, Nancy professionally published "The Butterfly Who Became A Cocoon". A story she had written for young and old alike, which follows a young butterfly named Oliver as he earnestly searches for The Creator's purpose of Oliver's life. The story was subsequently turned into an original ballet which has been performed numerous times by the Alamo Dance Company. In 2015 she commissioned a creative new musical based on the book, with original script and music, which premiered in Los Angeles at the renowned Odyssey Theater.

A lover of all things beautiful, Nancy was an accomplished painter and gardener. She was known for her grace, her loving and curious spirit, and her ability to find humor in even the most difficult of situations.

Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Frank Robinson, Sr., mother, Virginia Robinson, and her brother Frank Robinson, Jr. She is survived by her husband Richard, daughter Robin Womack (husband Ramsey), and Jenny Annas (husband Aaron Daniel), her beloved granddaughters Alexis Womack, Lauren Womack and Magnolia Annas: her loving sister Polly Pittman and numerous nieces, nephews and family friends.

Services will be under the direction of Heritage Oak Funeral Home in Huntsville, TX and will be led by Reverend Ellen Willett at 11:00 AM on Wednesday January 24, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville. Interment will follow the service at 2:00PM at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station, Texas.