Robin Nilon, 68, of Philadelphia, an Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Writing Center for the International LL.M. Program at Temple University Beasley School of Law, died of heart failure after a long illness on Monday, August 26th, at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Robin was born and raised in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, with her five siblings by their parents Mary and Robert (Bob) Nilon. She attended Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University in 1978, having spent a formative junior year abroad with Temple in Rome, Italy. She attained her Master of Arts degree in English from Temple in 1985, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in English from Temple in 1993. Her academic concentration was in modern British literature, critical theory, and prose fiction; her dissertation focused on the author D.H. Lawrence.
Robin's passion for writing and literature was infectious, and she instilled it in those she taught and loved. She started her academic career as a Graduate Teacher at the University of Delaware in 1989 and continued as an instructor of English at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pennsylvania in 1993. She joined the Temple University Department of English as a Professor in 1992 and was a Professor of Law at the Temple University Beasley School of Law starting in 2002. There, she taught legal research and writing and supported international students as the Director of the Writing Center for the International LL.M. Program. She published and presented works throughout her career ranging from literary analysis of the work of D.H. Lawrence, to effective ways to instruct international students in American legal writing.
Throughout her time at Temple, Robin became deeply involved in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Reentry Court, also known as the Supervision to Aid Reentry (STAR) program, which helps formerly incarcerated people make the most of their second chances. Robin worked with participants to help them attain their GED Certificates and develop practical skills to return to the workforce.
For 35 happy years, Robin was the beloved wife of the Honorable Paul S. Diamond, Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Robin and Paul delighted in each other's company, spending hours reading together at night and listening to audiobooks. Their shared love of London brought joy through many trips, during which they explored the city's history, enjoyed West End theatre, and lost themselves in bookstores. Their love was a profound union of minds and hearts.
Robin was the cherished sister of Hannah Harberg (late Allen), Terry Nilon, Kathy Atencio (Joseph), the late Judith Nilon (Jim Colins), and the late Thomas Duff Nilon. She was the adored and treasured aunt and great-aunt of Allen Harberg Jr. (Kristen), Amanda Harberg (Micah Fink), Julia McClatchy (Alexis Rodriguez), Audrey Atencio, August Atencio, Lucas Fink, Sydney Fink, and Oliver Nilon Rodriguez.
Robin will be remembered for the utter joy she brought to the lives of her family, friends, and husband. While the academic community knew her expertise to be deep in modern literature, her family and friends knew her for her expansive knowledge of literature, media, and obscure ad jingles of many decades. Robin's loss is immeasurable. Her warmth, enthusiasm, love, and brilliant mind will be missed dearly.
Robin was celebrated in a private funeral service.
Donations can be made in Robin's memory to the Judge Alfred L. Luongo Fund, supporting the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's Reentry Program, about which Robin cared deeply.  You can make a donation here:
https://www.philabarfoundation.org/work/programs/judge-alfred-l-luongo-fund