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Ray Robbins was born February 6, 1909 in Neodesha, Kansas. The Depression was just hitting its stride when Ray began his teaching career. He had just graduated from West Texas State University when he was hired to start the band program at Olton, Texas. After one year, Ray moved from Olton to Clarendon where he taught band the next 6 years. From Clarendon he moved to Pampa and taught junior high and high school band for 6 years before finally settling in Phillips, Texas.

Ray's teaching career reached its peak during the 21 year period he was instrumental Music Director for the Phillips public school system. He attributes the successes of his bands at Phillips to the achievement of "desirable qualities such as loyalty, cooperation , and citizenship" on the part of the youngsters he taught.
During his tenure at Phillips, the high school band had a record of 14 straight UIL Sweepstakes awards. The band won permanent possession of the marching and concert trophies in its class at the Tri-State Music Festival at Enid, Oklahoma. They also won the Enid festival's Million Dollar Parade 11 times, and was featured in Cotton Bowl games in Dallas twice.

Mr. Robbins was selected Bandmaster of the Year by TBA in 1969. He was a member of TMEA, TBA and Phi Beta Mu. Ray retired in May of 1969 after a 35 year career in instrumental music. He died may 22, 1990 at Wichita Falls, Texas.