To some people Ron Robinson was just a regular guy that was down on his luck and deserved a helping hand. He loved puppies, children, knew how to fix cars and always had a smile on his face.

Others saw a homeless person who smelled like urine and they avoided him when walking the same Ballard streets.

Ronald Jay Robinson died recently in his sleep, while resting on a red sleeping bag. He was in a makeshift home, in a wooden shed behind a boat yard. He died sometime between August 20 and Sept. 3.

The King County Medical Examiner's office, indicated there was nothing suspicious or traumatic about Robinson's death. The office is doing a routine toxicology report and the results will take 10 weeks.

Born in San Luis Obispo on Dec. 14, 1957. Robinson told people he did not recall ever working or going to school. Robinson's mother died when he was a young boy, followed shortly by his father. He ended up on the streets of Ballard 17 years ago.

Angela Rae, owner of the Kick It boutique on Market Street had become friends with Robinson. She was out of town for a few days in late August. When she came back she noticed Robinson had stopped coming around and went to check on him. She found him deceased in his shed and called 911.

For some Market Street business owners, Robinson was more than a homeless man with tattered clothes and an overgrown beard. He was known as "Ronnie" on the street. Others called him "Stinky," because they could detect his odor downwind.

Robinson walked past Kick It each day, waving to Rae and picking up her sign when the wind blew it over.

"I made an effort to develop a friendship," said Rae. "Every single morning he would come by and wave. He was so funny and loved to laugh. I wanted to get to know him. He was a sweet guy."

In the back of the Scandinavian Gift Shop, which closes in two weeks, owner Solveig Hatley keeps a small dresser. The drawers are labeled "Clothes for Ron." Inside, there are shoes, shirts, pants and underwear that Hatley collected for Robinson. On a shelf, there are snacks that Robinson enjoyed.

Hatley fought back tears when asked about her homeless friend.

"He was so thankful for everything we gave him," said Hatley. "We tried to keep an eye on him. He was a decent homeless person."

"A lot of homeless don't have anyone to do anything for them," said Steve Ream, a staff member at the Bread of Life Mission where a memorial was held in Robinson's honor.

Robinson had a relationship with a woman named "Indian Jane."

The memorial statement said Robinson and Indian Jane got sober and moved into an apartment together. Through their relationship, Robinson was said to have experienced true love, companionship and happiness. Indian Jane died seven years ago.

After Indian Jane's passing, Robinson lost the ability to care for himself and most often lived near the Ballard Locks or the shipyards.

Members of the Ballard community pitched in to provide Robinson with a change of clothes, shoes, winter clothing, cigarettes, beer, money and food. The Great Harvest Bread Company gave him some of their baked goods.

"We do it for everyone," said Bob Carleson, owner of the Great Harvest Bread Company. "He came in a couple of times a week. Everyone knew him."

Robinson was ill of health, was incontinent and did not take baths. He was said to be schizophrenic.

"We helped him out with food and so did everyone else," said Hatley. "He was a kind and decent man. You can be homeless and decent."

Ream said Robinson would come to the mission to find clothing.

"Then he'd be gone again," said Ream. "He always had a smile on his face."

"I helped him quite a bit," said Rudy Pantoja, a local gardener. "I tried to get him off the streets, he chose that lifestyle. I would see him fishing out of a (garbage) can."

After giving Robinson $5 once, he swore to Pantoja that he would no longer drink, but never kept his promise.

Once when Pantoja found Robinson with the zipper of his pants broken, he took Robinson to the store and bought him a pair of pink sweats, but Robinson refused to wear that color clothing. They settled for making a minor repair to the zipper.

"He was a great guy...We had built a friendship and I had respect for him," said Pantoja. "I did not treat him like a second class citizen."

Donations in Ron Jay Robinson's name can be sent to: Bread of Life Mission, 97 S. Main St., Seattle, WA 98124 or visit http://www.breadoflifemmission.org.