Robbin Bain, ‘Today’ pioneer, Miss Rheingold ’59

by Ron Marzlock

Chronicle Contributor

James Emms Bain was born in Virginia on Dec 10, 1899. He became a top salesman for the White Truck Co., which later merged with Autocar and sold Freightliner trucks. He advanced himself to a position as top executive with the firm. In 1935, the 36-year-old bachelor married Margaret Davison. On Aug. 10, 1936 their only child Barbara Jean was born in Flushing Hospital. The family lived in a first floor apt. at 144-44 Sanford Ave. in Flushing. In 1942, the family moved to Alden Court in Bronxville, NY. Young Barbara was entering and winning beauty contests. She decided to change her name to Robbin Bain to avoid confusion with the actress Barbara Bain. In 1959 she entered and won “The Miss Rheingold Beer” contest with an astounding 24 million votes, second to a presidential election. She won $50,000 and traveled the country with her illuminating presence promoting Rheingold Beer. She followed up as “The Today Girl” on NBC’s “Today” show, doing fashion segments. She was married three times, with two daughters and six grandchildren. Death came to her recently on Oct. 21, 2023 at age 87 in Southampton, LI, due to breast cancer. Q