Lenny B. Robinson

Lenny B. Robinson
Born Leonard B. Robinson
(1963-09-28)September 28, 1963
Baltimore, Maryland
Died August 16, 2015(2015-08-16) (aged 51)
Big Pool, Maryland
Other names Baltimore Batman
Route 29 Batman
LBR
Children Justin Robinson
Jake Robinson
Brandon Robinson
Parent(s) Larry and Ilona Robinson

Leonard B. Robinson (September 28, 1963 – August 16, 2015)[1] was an American charity worker who became known as the Baltimore Batman after dressing up as Batman and visiting children in Baltimore, Maryland-area hospitals. He gained fame in 2012 when a video of him being pulled over for an issue with a license plate went viral. On August 16, 2015, he was killed along Interstate 70 when his parked vehicle was struck by another motorist.[2][3] Many prominent figures have shown support for Lenny's philanthropic ventures as the Caped Crusader, including former Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, musician John Mayer, and the official Batman Facebook page.[4] Lenny was an avid Baltimore Ravens fan, and attended both of the Ravens' Super Bowls during the 2000 and 2012 seasons. He befriended some of the Ravens' players and staff members as he often attended their charitable functions, especially if they were for children.[5]

Philanthropy

Lenny's mission was "to entertain ill and terminally ill children by appearing to them as Batman and teaching them that just as Batman fights battles, no matter how hard or long their health battles may be, with strength of will and determination, there is always hope!"[6] Lenny visited sick children in hospitals, handing out Batman paraphernalia to them, and was sure to sign every book, hat, T-shirt, and backpack he handed out "Batman". Some of the hospitals he visited included the Children's National Medical Center, Sinai Hospital, and Georgetown University Hospital. In 2016, Laurie Strongin and her non-profit, Hope For Henry Foundation, started the LENNY "BATMAN" ROBINSON HOPE FOR HENRY PROGRAM at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. [7][8][9]

Death

On August 16, 2015, Robinson was returning from a weekend festival in South Charleston, West Virginia when his Batmobile broke down on Interstate 70 near the community of Big Pool, Maryland. As he was checking the engine, a Toyota Camry struck his custom Batmobile from behind. The Batmobile struck Robinson, who was pronounced dead at the scene.[10]

Baltimore Ravens two-time Super Bowl champion Ray Lewis paid respect to Robinson on his Twitter feed: "The world lost a special spirit. A true living angel. Lenny Robinson will always remain in my heart #baltimorebatman."[11]

Robinson's funeral at Har Sinai Congregation in Owings Mills, Maryland, on August 19, 2015 was attended by hundreds. At the burial site, a black cover with the Dark Knight insignia was placed over Robinson's casket where he was laid to rest.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Leonard B. Robinson's Obituary on". Baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  2. ↑ Rosenwald, Michael S.; Cox, John Woodrow (August 17, 2015). "Route 29 Batman is killed after his Batmobile breaks down in Maryland". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ Harrison, Don; Costello, Jamie (August 17, 2015). "Sinai Hospital mourns death of Baltimore's Batman". WMAR-TV. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ Cox, John Woodrow (2015-08-18). "How America's superheroes are mourning the tragic death of the Route 29 Batman, Lenny Robinson". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  5. ↑ "Baltimore Batman Died A Huge Ravens Fan". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  6. ↑ "Homepage". Superheroes For Kids. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  7. ↑ Rosenwald, Michael S. (2012-03-28). "Who is the Route 29 Batman? This guy.". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  8. ↑ "Batman visits Baltimore's Sinai Hospital". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  9. ↑ http://www.hopeforhenry.org/learn-about-new-lenny-batman-robinson-hope-henry-program-sinai-hospital
  10. ↑ "Batman impersonator Leonard Robinson dies in crash involving Batmobile". Associated Press. August 17, 2015.
  11. ↑ Ray Lewis Remembers Baltimore Batman Lenny Robinson, Baltimore Sun, August 17, 2015
  12. ↑ "The world knew him as the Route 29 Batman. His sons knew him as LBR, their superhero dad." by John Woodrow Cox and Michael S. Rosenwald, The Washington Post, washingtonpost.com, August 19, 2015
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