It’s a family tradition: Robin’s Resort owners carry on lore of the family resort as condos consume lake’s shoreline

These days when Dian Sevra Hughes wants to see Lake of the Ozarks, she has to pull out the photo album.
There was a time when the gravel lake road that lead to “the point” was called 13A. Winters were isolated, there were fewer restaurants nearby and the family vacation was about reconnecting and just enjoying being together.
Hughes’ parents, Robert (Robin) and Doris Sevra were the original owners and namesake of Robin’s Resort. In 1958, they decided to take a chance and set their sights on property at the 1-mile marker of the Grand Glaize arm of the lake.
It was a far cry from city life and took some getting used to, Hughes said.
Hughes says her mom used to wear a one-piece swimming suit with an apron. Attached with clothespins was a “to do”list.
One year when the water was unusually low, Robin hired a crew to build a seawall; putting backfill in tripled the size of the point.
She remembers writing her name on the boat launch and sea wall when the concrete was poured, spending many nights out on the swim dock with girlfriends and building campfires.
Because Camdenton High School was not accredited, her parents paid tuition and sent her to School of the Osage.
“Many times my mother was mistaken for hired help and asked if she worked for Mr. Robin. She would roll her eyes and just smile,” she said. “Every good operation needs a sergeant and that was my mother’s role. My father was the ‘social director’.”
“When we lived there we were on duty it seemed 24-7. I was always complaining about those “ole tourists” and how they tended to interfere with my life. We lived in the main lodge above several units and my parents were forever telling to me to not walk like an elephant.”
With her days filled with odd jobs and keeping up with the routine of running the family resort, Hughes eventually found a job away from home.
“As soon as I had my driver’s license I looked for work off the resort as I knew if I was on the payroll my hours would never end,” she said.
She landed a job at the Happy Fisherman restaurant, swimming in the “Aquarama,” the first summer it opened.
The last time Hughes visited Robin’s Resort was in 1983. She brought her daughters to show them where she grew up.
Now living in Maryland, Hughes says much has changed in the last 50 years, but her parents would be pleased to know the resort still carries on the tradition.
“I have often told (the owners) that a part of my heart remains at Robin’s and always will. Robin’s is a part of who I am, of who I have become”
Editor’s note: Some information was compiled from writings and correspondence prepared by the family and current owners over the years.
 

Changes drew new owners to the lake, But the lake’s atmosphere prevailed

It was the changes that drew Roger and Maggie Langpaul to Lake of the Ozarks.
At first, Roger says when he looked at the 6.5-acre property he thought it was the perfect spot to develop a condominiums.
That was the trend in 2001, he says.
“What happened was a lot of other developers were doing the same thing, buying old family resorts but they were referring business over to us. We decided to stay a family resort,” he said.
It has been 50 years since Robin’s Resort was built. What started with a few units and a stone cottage looks much different today.
Instead of just the yard boy and maid, the resort is staffed year-round.
The old coke machine has been replaced with electronic arcade games. Gone are the days when the honor system was in place and guests took what they wanted from the refrigerator and write it down in a log.
New buildings make up the landscape and the fishing docks are now heated, but the same gorgeous sunsets and tranquil atmosphere that was prevalent in 1958 still exists, Maggie says. It remains a home away from home for the many families that return each year.
What hasn’t changed is the “ear-to-ear grins on the faces of the kids when they actually catch their first fish.”
The Langpauls say while it’s not exactly like it used to be, keeping it a family-owned resort is essential.
“Every year we continue to make major improvements to the property and our guests are pleased to be be part of the process.”

Contact this reporter at charis.patires@lakesunonline.com