LOS ANGELES -- The man who helped build the 31-flavor craze at ice cream store Baskin-Robbins has died at age 90.

Irvine Robbins died today in his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Daughter Marsha Veit says he had been in ill for some time.

Generations of youngsters trooped to Baskin-Robbins stores to buy such ice cream flavors as Pralines 'n Cream, Daiquiri Ice and Pink Bubblegum.

Robbins opened his first ice cream store in Glendale, Calif., in December 1945, following his discharge from the Army.

Robbins offered 21 flavors at that store. His brother-in-law, the late Burton Baskin, opened his own ice cream store in neighboring Pasadena a year later. The two eventually joined forces.