Clarence Robison spent Monday picking apples at an orchard with his family, and had planned on doing the same the next day.

Instead he passed away in his sleep, at age 83, leaving behind a unique legacy of building the BYU track program into a national power. It left many of the people he touched sad, and at least one quite remorseful.

"Of all the times I had him come speak for church and youth groups of mine," former Cougar track star Doug Padilla said, "I wish I would've tape recorded what Robbie said."

"Robbie," as he was affectionately known by anyone who knew or competed for him, seemingly had a special place for all of humanity.

He could be quiet, but knew how to get a laugh.

Serious at practice, he was also an avid deer hunter who would show protégés how to take care of their catches -- and even do the dirty work for them.

He ran the track program on his own starting in 1949, and over 40 years turned it into an international entity. His influence, say his former athletes, was felt far beyond the blue track that now bears Robison's name.

He recruited anyone who would give the faith-based school a chance, from non-LDS Americans to Europeans who were exposed to the program because of Robison's penchant for competing overseas.

It didn't take much contact for him to become more than a coach.

It was Robison's ability to relate to each individual, and talk with ease to various age groups, that was perhaps his greatest and most beloved asset -- and the one that will be missed the most.

"He didn't know a stranger," said Dick Legas, who competed for Robison and is now a team assistant. "He crossed all generations and all walks of life. And you never got the feeling that he felt superior to you. He was just a very, very good man."

BYU named the school's track stadium after him in April of 2004, as he became only the second sports figure to have a part of campus named after him.

LaVell Edwards, the longtime football coach, was honored four years prior with the team's stadium. Those who knew them both would consider it fair to compare the two.

They each had longevity and success that is synonymous with BYU. Robison's teams won 18 conference championships and tied for the NCAA national championship in 1970. More than 100 All-Americans, including more than 20 national champions and 26 Olympians, were crafted in part by him.

The 1948 Olympics distance runner took the job on a whim, deciding he needed to make money and support a family rather than continue to compete as an amateur.

Like Edwards, Robison had a knack of relating to rambunctious college kids -- no matter the era.

To him, there were no bad apples.

The stories go on about Robison, who saw many spurts of innocent mischief. Once a prankster himself -- one legend has him putting an alligator in the sleeping tent of a fellow Navy serviceman -- his "kids" tested his patience by wearing chic denim suits in a shirt-and-tie environment. Or they'd show up to practice with a beard, which is unbecoming at BYU.

But don't mistake the rebellion for a lack of respect, say his "sons."

"He was a true father figure," Padilla said. "We knew he loved us, even if we let him down."

Said Legas: "He called me a knucklehead one time, and that's about as rough as he got."

Robison's son, Mark, is the current head coach of the BYU track team. He spent the day mourning with family and neighbors, who were also surprised that the longtime LDS church and civic leader did not awaken yesterday morning.

"We had a good time picking apples, and we were going to go again," said Robison, who is one of nine children, 41 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren left behind, along with Clarence's wife, Monita.

Funeral services will be held Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Grandview South Stake Center on 1150 North Grandview Avenue in Provo. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Berg Mortuary located at 185 East Center Street in Provo.

Mark Robison believes, like current coaches and former athletes, that his father's impact is felt on the program to this day. And not just because of a facility's name.

Young men who are now grandfathers and fathers are still steering their children to BYU, all because of the education of life and sport they received under Robison.

"It's incumbent on us to talk about Robbie, and live a life that he would approve," Legas said.

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This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.