We are saddened to share that our beloved founder, Robina Asti, has passed away at 99-years-old, just a few weeks shy of what would have been her 100th birthday.

Friends of The Cloud Dancers Foundation,

It is with great sadness that we inform you that our founder, Robina Asti, has passed away.

Robina, who was a WWII transgender veteran and the founder of The Cloud Dancers Foundation, died peacefully surrounded by her family. She was 99 and would have turned 100-years-old on April 7, 2021.

When Robina started the Cloud Dancers Foundation, she did so to help people who feel invisible feel seen. Because of your generous donations, we were able to grant our first wish in 2020. Robina was extremely proud to see her dream of bringing visibility to those who feel invisible start to come to life.

As a transgender widow, WWII veteran, and the founder of The Cloud Dancers Foundation a 501(c)(3), Robina was a pioneer who has fought for acceptance and dignity for LGBTQ+ people for decades. 

Robina transitioned from male to female over fifty years ago. In her youth, Robina served in World War II and retired from the US Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. After WWII, Robina, then Robert, became a Supper Club/restaurant co-owner, Vice President of the Axe Science Investment Fund, and was a Research Investment Advisor to the E. W. Axe Co Funds, an Investment Company and Mutual Fund sponsor.

After Robina transitioned in her fifties, she married Norwood Patton, an independent commercial artist, and together they had a wonderful and vibrant life for over three decades. Upon his death, Robina filed for Social Security Benefits. She was denied on the basis that she was still legally a man at the time of her marriage. Robina fought back and won the case with the help of Lambda Legal, changing the rules long held by the Social Security Administration and IRS to provide more equitable policies regarding gender identity and marriage benefits. 

Robina enjoyed her life-long passion for aeronautics; in particular, she was the oldest active-licensed Navigator and Flight Instructor, and could be found on most weekends circling the skies around the New York/Tri-State area with her student pilots. As part of her legacy and devotion to supporting those individuals who are vulnerable and disenfranchised due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, Robina has established the Cloud Dancers Foundation, a non-profit wish-granting program for the LGBTQ+ community.

It is our mission now to continue her legacy. 

Support Cloud Dancers to grant extraordinary wishes to all who feel invisible, focusing on the elderly transgender community. 

#WeSeeYou.

As a transgender widow, WWII veteran, and the founder of The Cloud Dancers Foundation a 501(c)(3), Robina was a pioneer who has fought for acceptance and dignity for LGBTQ+ people for decades.

Robina transitioned from male to female over fifty years ago. In her youth, Robina served in World War II and retired from the US Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. After WWII, Robina, then Robert, became a Supper Club/restaurant co-owner, Vice President of the Axe Science Investment Fund, and was a Research Investment Advisor to the E. W. Axe Co Funds, an Investment Company and Mutual Fund sponsor.

After Robina transitioned in her fifties, she married Norwood Patton, an independent commercial artist, and together they had a wonderful and vibrant life for over three decades. Upon his death, Robina filed for Social Security Benefits. She was denied on the basis that she was still legally a man at the time of her marriage. Robina fought back and won the case with the help of Lambda Legal, changing the rules long held by the Social Security Administration and IRS to provide more equitable policies regarding gender identity and marriage benefits. 

Robina enjoyed her life-long passion for aeronautics; in particular, she was the oldest active-licensed Navigator and Flight Instructor, and could be found on most weekends circling the skies around the New York/Tri-State area with her student pilots. As part of her legacy and devotion to supporting those individuals who are vulnerable and disenfranchised due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, Robina has established the Cloud Dancers Foundation, a non-profit wish-granting program for the LGBTQ+ community.