Dr. Haywood Robinson, a former abortionist who became a pro-life advocate, has died.

Key Takeaways:

• Haywood Robinson was a former abortionist, along with his wife, Dr. Noreen Johnson.

• When he heard the gospel at a 1986 church conference, he and Johnson both stopped committing abortions and became pro-life.

• Johnson passed away in 2021.

• Robinson's loss is being mourned by the pro-life community.

The Backstory:

Robinson previously said he was taught how to commit dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures during residency, with the intention to use it for both miscarriage treatment and for abortions. He and Johnson both became abortionists before eventually stopping due to social stigma, though they still supported it.

“Being the community abortionist would not be something compatible with practicing in the community,” he said. “We no longer were involved with doing abortion. We still believed in it and we still referred for it.”

Over the years, he said they had become desensitized to the humanity of the preborn.

Honest Conversation Between Abortion Survivors and Providers | Face to Face

“I never felt any euphoria with it. I think I suppressed most of my emotion and just wanted to get through it,” he said during a Live Action Face to Face panel. “I was doing it because of the money and just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. So basically suppressing the humanity of the child.”

A church conference in 1986 changed that. After hearing the gospel, he and Johnson abandoned their pro-abortion beliefs, began practicing legitimate medicine, and became pro-life activists.

“[God] opened our eyes to how heinous this war against babies is and He launched us on a pro-life career,” he said. Robinson eventually became Director of Medical Affairs & Education for 40 Days for Life. Johnson passed away in 2021, and Robinson remarried to Daphne Robinson in 2023.

Dr. Haywood Robinson reflects on his time as an abortionist & how he became a defender of life

The Details:

Robinson announced the death of her husband on social media.

"It is with profound heartache that I personally, publicly, and officially announce the death of my husband, Dr. Haywood Robinson, MD. My Beloved was much beloved, admired and a friend to many," she wrote, adding,

"Protecting and advocating for the unborn and defending all vulnerable life created in the image of God was core to who my husband was. In addition to serving as the Director of Medical Affairs & Education for 40 Days for Life for the past 7-years, Dr. Robinson was the Director of Continuum of Care for Journey of a Lifetime (JOL)."

In a comment on Robinson's announcement, 40 Days for Life of New Haven, Connecticut honored Robinson with a heartfelt eulogy.

He lived with extraordinary purpose. Dr. Robinson’s witness reminded us that God can bring healing from even the deepest wounds and can transform a heart surrendered to His will into a powerful instrument of grace.

What a joy it was learning from him online with the many 40 Days for Life podcasts or other uploaded videos.I was very blessed to meet him in person at the New York City Regional Workshop and the last three National Symposiums in Nashville, Houston, and Phoenix.

As St. Augustine of Hippo famously wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” We pray that Dr. Robinson’s restless earthly journey has now found its eternal rest in the loving embrace of the Lord he faithfully served.

His legacy will live on through the lives he saved, the hearts he changed, and the generations of pro-life advocates he inspired. While we grieve his loss, we also rejoice in the hope of the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life in Christ.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Mark Lee Dickson mourned Robinson's passing as well.

Cory Crenshaw, a former judge and district attorney, also spoke of Robinson's passing, which he called "devastating." He said:

During my six years working and living in College Station, Haywood and his beautiful wife Noreen were two of my absolute favorite people as they were both beloved fixtures in the community celebrated for their medical and Christian mission work. We broke bread weekly at our favorite spots like Veritas, Cafe Eccell and Republic Steakhouse, drank the best wine, traveled and shared so many wonderful memories together. We just spoke a few weeks ago and discussed a trip to The Bahamas and in classic Haywood fashion he said “Hey man just send the plane and we’ll be there.” I’m so grateful for the blessing he was in my life. My sincere condolences to Riva, Virginia and all his daughters, family and many, many loved ones. I know Noreen was waiting for him with open arms in Heaven. Rest in Heaven sweet Haywood.

Texas Alliance for Life shared a powerful speech of Robinson's, and vowed to continue the fight for him:

Mayra Rodriguez, another abortionist who likewise became pro-life, also shared the news of his passing.

"Words cannot describe what his friendship and mentorship meant to me. As a former abortion doctor, he understood the weight of the past and the beauty of God's mercy in a way few people could," she wrote on Facebook. "I had the honor of sharing many workshops and conferences with him through 40 Days for Life. Every conversation left me encouraged, challenged, and reminded that God is in the business of redemption. Thank you for investing in my life and in the lives of so many others. Your legacy will continue through every person you inspired. Rest in the peace of Christ. Until we meet again."

A celebration of life will be held on August 5 at Christ Church in College Station, Texas; there will be a livestream available for those unable to attend in person.