The funeral of Joe Robbins, one of the great icons of the US coin machine industry, was held on Sunday, November 19 at Wilmette, Illinois, and was attended by many major names within the US amusement machine market.

Joe, who headed Bally Distributing and then took senior positions with Atari and Sega Gaming among other companies, died on November 12, aged 83. Tributes to Joe have been coming in to InterGame from industry personalities on both sides of the Atlantic. A few of them are reproduced here:

\“The industry has lost one of its greatest salesmen and statesmen. I can remember the great days at Sangammon and Adams where Gil and Joe performed a great double act. I have lost a great friend whose memory will live with me for the rest of my life.\” - Michael Green, UDC

\“B\‘rooch Dayan Haemet. Joe was class personified in every sense of the word. They don\‘t make them like Joe any more.\” - Myron Sugarman

\“Joe was always a great supporter of our family and we have shared so many memories with him. The end of an era.\” - Bob, Elly, Simon, Leon and Matthew Deith

\“Most people knew Joe as an industry patriarch. Few had the privilege of working both for him and with him and very few knew the depth of his caring and the depth of his charity. He was truly from the good guys.\” - Howie Rubin, Jemscor

\“My shining star from the good old days has gone. His memory will always be with us.\” - Ben, Carmit, Guy, Tal and Karen Harel, Delta Ventures

\“Joe was the head of the AAMA when we built our Chexx hockey game. It had a checking feature and he told us to get ride of it as it would kill the game. I called my office on the van trip back to Buffalo from Chicago and we did as he suggested. The rest is history. I thanked Joe then and thank him daily now.\” - Ralph Capolla, ICE

\“Many years ago Joe told me that I would go far in the industry. Several years ago when he presented me with an award that bears his name he said \‘Hi kid, I see that you made it.’” - Ron Carrara

\“About a year ago, Joe was at the ASI show and Myrna and I ran into him in the hall. Myrna, who shares my last name, had never met Joe so I introduced them. \‘Joe Robbins, I would like you to meet Myrna Bromley - Myrna Bromly this is the famous Joe Robbins.\’ Joe\‘s eyes swept over Myrna\‘s long gorgeous red hair and her full figured body and great looks and he said \‘Did your father get married again?\’ God bless you Joe, you will be missed.\” - Lauran Bromley

\“I was at the G2E show last week reading the emails about Joe and could not help but think of my time working for him, all of the sales and management techniques and skills that I have I can attribute to my first job when Joe hired me in 1972. With some other salesmen I had debated with him about the difference between a super salesman and a good salesman. He said a super salesman was a natural. Maybe he was right, but I know he influenced me to be a better salesman and person.” - Marty Glazman, Wells Gardner

\“There are people in this world that you are glad you met. Joe was one of them.\” - Colin Mallery, Harry Levy