RIP Leonard Robinson, aged 51. He was Batman.
August 17, 2015 9:21 AM Subscribe
Leonard Robinson, 51, of Owings Mills, Md. died Sunday night. Robinson (seen here previously) became an Internet viral sensation in 2012 when he was pulled over by Montgomery County MD police while dressed as Batman.
After selling the commercial cleaning business he had begun as a teenager, Robinson spent some of the money on a customized black Lamborghini and a personally fitted Batman costume and began visiting sick children in hospitals. Robinson also did other appearances, including talking to youth groups about household dangers, and attracted Batman fans everywhere he went.
In addition to the Lamborghini and a custom replica of the 1966 TV Batmobile, Robinson estimated he spent about $5,000 on the costume and about $25,000 a year on toys and other Batman memorabilia to give away.
Robinson was returning home from an appearance at a West Virginia car show when the Lamborghini suffered engine trouble on I-70 near Hagerstown, Md. After Robinson got out to check on the engine, the Lamborghini was struck by another vehicle. Robinson was apparently killed instantly.
He was the hero we needed.
After selling the commercial cleaning business he had begun as a teenager, Robinson spent some of the money on a customized black Lamborghini and a personally fitted Batman costume and began visiting sick children in hospitals. Robinson also did other appearances, including talking to youth groups about household dangers, and attracted Batman fans everywhere he went.
In addition to the Lamborghini and a custom replica of the 1966 TV Batmobile, Robinson estimated he spent about $5,000 on the costume and about $25,000 a year on toys and other Batman memorabilia to give away.
Robinson was returning home from an appearance at a West Virginia car show when the Lamborghini suffered engine trouble on I-70 near Hagerstown, Md. After Robinson got out to check on the engine, the Lamborghini was struck by another vehicle. Robinson was apparently killed instantly.
He was the hero we needed.
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posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:26 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:26 AM on August 17, 2015
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posted by skycrashesdown at 9:26 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:26 AM on August 17, 2015
Witnessed. What an incredible man.
posted by Sternmeyer at 9:27 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by Sternmeyer at 9:27 AM on August 17, 2015
This just makes my little heart sick and sad all over.
Thank you, Mr. Robinson, for all that you did for the kids (and adults) in your area.
Peace be with you.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 9:27 AM on August 17, 2015
Thank you, Mr. Robinson, for all that you did for the kids (and adults) in your area.
Peace be with you.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 9:27 AM on August 17, 2015
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posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:33 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:33 AM on August 17, 2015
This is so sad. What a wonderful guy. What an unfair world.
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posted by Metroid Baby at 9:36 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by Metroid Baby at 9:36 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
The contrast between Robinson, who dedicated his time and effort to improving the lives of children and in doing so accidentally became a YouTube sensation, and the Raders (linked a few posts down), who dedicate their lives to becoming YouTube sensations and so accidentally make the lives of their own kids that much worse, is particularly striking.
My hope is that there are more Robinsons than Raders out there quietly doing their best to make the world, in some small way, a better place. That we don't hear about them is a testament to the dedication and good intentions - the only acknowledgement they need is the smile or the thanks of the ones they help. But because we do not hear about them it makes tragedies like this one so much worse.
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posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:38 AM on August 17, 2015 [28 favorites]
My hope is that there are more Robinsons than Raders out there quietly doing their best to make the world, in some small way, a better place. That we don't hear about them is a testament to the dedication and good intentions - the only acknowledgement they need is the smile or the thanks of the ones they help. But because we do not hear about them it makes tragedies like this one so much worse.
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posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:38 AM on August 17, 2015 [28 favorites]
/\../\
posted by lharmon at 9:41 AM on August 17, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by lharmon at 9:41 AM on August 17, 2015 [8 favorites]
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posted by the sobsister at 9:46 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by the sobsister at 9:46 AM on August 17, 2015
I always hoped I'd see him and his Batmobile out and about one day, but I never did.
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posted by Faint of Butt at 9:48 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by Faint of Butt at 9:48 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by doctor_negative at 9:50 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by doctor_negative at 9:50 AM on August 17, 2015
How very sad. A bit less light in the world now.
posted by Splunge at 9:51 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Splunge at 9:51 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by ReluctantViking at 9:58 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by ReluctantViking at 9:58 AM on August 17, 2015
Go gently into that good night, old chum.
posted by Artw at 10:04 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:04 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
Robinson had just stopped at a gas station, where he met a family whose children were interested in his custom-made car, Maryland state police in Hagerstown said. Robinson gave the kids some superhero paraphernalia before leaving about the same time as his new acquaintances. When they saw him pull over, they did the same and witnessed the 10:30 p.m. accident, state police said.
Just heartbreaking.
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posted by TedW at 10:15 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
Just heartbreaking.
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posted by TedW at 10:15 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by SillyShepherd at 10:17 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by SillyShepherd at 10:17 AM on August 17, 2015
We get one non grim-n-gritty Batman in 20 years, and this has to happen!?!
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:19 AM on August 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:19 AM on August 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
Robinson had just stopped at a gas station, where he met a family whose children were interested in his custom-made car, Maryland state police in Hagerstown said. Robinson gave the kids some superhero paraphernalia before leaving about the same time as his new acquaintances. When they saw him pull over, they did the same and witnessed the 10:30 p.m. accident, state police said.Well, at least we know those kids' origin story.
(Sorry, this is very sad and I know I am going to hell for this.)
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 10:28 AM on August 17, 2015 [24 favorites]
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posted by spacewaitress at 10:34 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by spacewaitress at 10:34 AM on August 17, 2015
Batman has always been my superhero because a person could theoretically be Batman. I could never be Superman or The Flash or most others, but if I had the money, time, and dedication, I could be Batman.
Mr. Robinson did go be Batman and he did it in the best way. He threw his money at making people's lives a little better and didn't seem to be seeking fame for it. If he had a bunch of fun doing it then good for him.
I have a lot of respect for what he did. It's a dark day in Gotham.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 10:38 AM on August 17, 2015 [10 favorites]
Mr. Robinson did go be Batman and he did it in the best way. He threw his money at making people's lives a little better and didn't seem to be seeking fame for it. If he had a bunch of fun doing it then good for him.
I have a lot of respect for what he did. It's a dark day in Gotham.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 10:38 AM on August 17, 2015 [10 favorites]
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posted by MrBobaFett at 10:38 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by MrBobaFett at 10:38 AM on August 17, 2015
What a sweet man. This is so sad. My heart goes out to his children and the rest of his family, and to the charity he worked with and the kids who's days he brightened.
posted by JenMarie at 10:43 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by JenMarie at 10:43 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
What. I just saw him for the first time, on tv, two days ago, on some random show about crazy stuff caught on police cams. This is so sad. I feel terribly bad for the family who witnessed it as well.
posted by the webmistress at 10:44 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by the webmistress at 10:44 AM on August 17, 2015
He was the Batman.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:53 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:53 AM on August 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by Anne Neville at 11:00 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by Anne Neville at 11:00 AM on August 17, 2015
And here's to you, Mr Robin(son).
Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed!
posted by blue_beetle at 11:00 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed!
posted by blue_beetle at 11:00 AM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by bashos_frog at 11:12 AM on August 17, 2015
posted by bashos_frog at 11:12 AM on August 17, 2015
Bears repeating: He was Batman.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 11:31 AM on August 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Jack Karaoke at 11:31 AM on August 17, 2015 [6 favorites]
He was truly a good guy and made a lasting difference to so many people. Such a beautiful legacy.
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posted by but no cigar at 11:35 AM on August 17, 2015
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posted by but no cigar at 11:35 AM on August 17, 2015
Very sad! And a reminder that if you break down in a traffic lane, never get out of the car unless you can exit safely directly to the shoulder, unless the car is on fire or about to be. Put on your blinkers, call a tow truck. Even if you are hit by another car, you'll be far better off that if they hit you unprotected.
posted by tavella at 12:09 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by tavella at 12:09 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by Pardon Our Dust at 12:16 PM on August 17, 2015
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 12:16 PM on August 17, 2015
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 2:15 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by JoeXIII007 at 2:15 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by harrietthespy at 2:23 PM on August 17, 2015
posted by harrietthespy at 2:23 PM on August 17, 2015
It bears repeating that you should strive to be the best self you can be.
Unless you can be Batman.
Always be Batman.
posted by Sparx at 2:28 PM on August 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
Unless you can be Batman.
Always be Batman.
posted by Sparx at 2:28 PM on August 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
Signal: Umm, I actually got it from a billboard I sometimes drive past on my way home. I don't even think it's advertising anything. It's obviously been around and gotten the meme treatment but I couldn't find it on KnowYourMeme, so I can't say from whence it originates. Looks like I got the wording wrong paraphrased it uniquely, anyway.
posted by Sparx at 3:51 PM on August 17, 2015
posted by Sparx at 3:51 PM on August 17, 2015
Oh. damn. He was the Batman we need. I'm surprisingly teary eyed for a person I didn't know, but whom I admired.
posted by dejah420 at 5:23 PM on August 17, 2015
posted by dejah420 at 5:23 PM on August 17, 2015
I have no idea how I missed him in 2012, but I miss him now.
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posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 5:57 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 5:57 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
He was the Batman we need.
This, so much.
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posted by Halloween Jack at 6:54 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
This, so much.
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posted by Halloween Jack at 6:54 PM on August 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
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I had a lot of toe-wriggling delight when I first heard about him and his costumed kindnesses. Not just because he focused on helping kids, but because he got to dress up! Sounded like a great guy. We are totally sad about it. (Mr. Sunny and I)
posted by annsunny at 7:52 PM on August 17, 2015
I had a lot of toe-wriggling delight when I first heard about him and his costumed kindnesses. Not just because he focused on helping kids, but because he got to dress up! Sounded like a great guy. We are totally sad about it. (Mr. Sunny and I)
posted by annsunny at 7:52 PM on August 17, 2015
I was so sad to hear this; terrible all around.
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posted by LobsterMitten at 11:32 PM on August 17, 2015
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posted by LobsterMitten at 11:32 PM on August 17, 2015
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posted by biggreenplant at 4:28 AM on August 18, 2015
posted by biggreenplant at 4:28 AM on August 18, 2015
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posted by mephron at 9:22 AM on August 17, 2015 [5 favorites]