Source: Katherine Knott, The News-Enterprise
Robert Robbins long dreamed of moving to a small town in Kentucky and making a difference.
On Tuesday night, he was honored for the difference he made in Hardin County. Robbins was recognized as winner of the 2017 Hardin County Distinguished Citizen Award from the Lincoln Trail District of the Lincoln Heritage Council, Boy Scouts of America.
The annual award recognizes leaders who work toward improving Hardin County and show devotion to family, God and country, according to the Scouts. Past recipients include Maj. Gen. Bill Barron, Bob Swope, John DuPlessis and Diane Logsdon. Robbins, a retired surgeon, was the former chief of surgery and chief of staff at Hardin Memorial Hospital.
Jerry Merritt, a Louisville businessman, introduced Robbins and detailed the growth of the hospital under the doctor’s leadership.
“He turned the hospital into a regional medical center representing almost every surgical specialty there is,” Merritt said.
He first met Robbins in 1999 through ZirMed, a health-care technology company based in Louisville.
“My father used to tell me that success is not measured by what you achieve, but how you impact the lives of those who crossed your path,” Merritt said. “As one whose life has been significantly enriched by crossing paths with Dr. Robbins, I can tell you
first-hand that he’s one of the most successful people that I know.”
In his acceptance speech, Robbins thanked the hospital staff and others who have helped him along the way. He said they were more deserving of the award than he was.
Robbins also thanked his wife, Rita, who worked with him at the hospital. The two were married in the hospital chapel.
“She kept my nose pointed in the right direction most of the time,” he said.
Robbins isn’t done working to improve the area. Even though he’s retired, the 83-year-old said he’s now focusing on bringing more amenities to Hardin County. Robbins has been a key player in the planned state-of-the-art movie theater on Dolphin Drive.
“With your support and help, anything and everything is possible,” he said. “Together, we can make Hardin County all that we want it to be. If we all join hands together, nothing is impossible.”
