Obituaries

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Fliakas Bochanis of Bethesda; a daughter, Diane Cerniglia of Oakton; and a grandson.

Albert L. 'Kamau' RobinsonEducator

Albert L. "Kamau" Robinson, 50, the principal of Roots Activity Learning Center in the District, died Dec. 31 at Washington Hospital Center of complications of severe hypertension.

Mr. Robinson was born in Rock Hill, S.C., and moved with his family to the District when he was in the third grade. He was a 1975 graduate of Calvin Coolidge High School and a 1984 history graduate of the University of the District of Columbia.

He did his student teaching at Coolidge before joining Roots Activity Learning Center, an Afrocentric private school in the District, in 1985. Beginning in the middle school, he eventually taught in all of the school's divisions. He became principal in 1999.

During his tenure, Roots students achieved some of the highest standardized reading and math test scores in the city.

Mr. Robinson believed in lifelong learning and loved to read, teach and travel. He participated in heritage tours and fact-finding missions to Africa, and in recent years, he took trips to South America to learn about indigenous peoples of the rain forest.

Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Carrie and Lucian Johnson of the District; three sisters, Janice R. Hunt and Vivian L. Robinson, both of the District, and Rosemary Robinson of New York City; and two brothers, T. Steven Robinson and Roderick N. Robinson, both of the District.

Andrew H. KirkpatrickDentist

Andrew H. Kirkpatrick, 80, a retired Bethesda dentist who served as an Army infantryman during World War II, died Dec. 24 at a nursing care facility in Hilton Head, S.C., of complications after several strokes.

Dr. Kirkpatrick was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Ridgewood, N.J., and Chevy Chase.

He graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and joined the Army during World War II. Sent to Europe as part of a light mortar team with the 106th Infantry Division, he arrived in St. Vith, Belgium, five days before the German attack that began the Battle of the Bulge. His unit helped delay the German offensive before being overrun and cut off.

He was awarded the Purple Heart for frostbite wounds but declined to accept the medal because he didn't think his injuries were severe enough to warrant the award, said his son, Edward W. Kirkpatrick.

After the war, Dr. Kirkpatrick graduated from George Washington University and received a degree in dentistry from Georgetown University.