Ralph Robinett has had three long-term careers: sergeant with the Missouri Highway Patrol for 33 years, until his retirement in 1996; major in the Missouri National Guard for 241/2 years, until his retirement in 1994; and 19 years as sergeant-at-arms for the Missouri House of Representatives, until his retirement earlier this year.
As if all of that wasn't enough, he also was a board member and former chairman of the Jefferson City chapter of the American Red Cross.
Last week, the Jefferson City Council recognized another of Robinett's long-running civic roles, a member of the city's Planning and Zoning Commission for 13 years, naming him the 2016 winner of the Kevin Meinhardt Memorial Award for Distinguished Public Service.
"I was really surprised when I got that call," Robinett said, reflecting on his recent telephone contact from Janice McMillan, director of the city's Department of Planning and Protective Service. "That was a great honor. There are a lot of people more deserving of that than me."
At last week's meeting, McMillan read the citation that accompanied the Meinhardt Award: "He served the community with extreme professionalism as the chairman of the commission by always respecting the people who wished to speak at the monthly meeting, particularly when things became contentious and sometimes rather heated. He always maintained control of the meetings in a manner that represented the city in a good light.
"He was always well prepared for meetings, taking time out of his schedule to visit the locations, discuss with staff the numerous issues that were involved with the highest profile case and always be well versed in the issues that came before the commission."
Robinett said he hasn't made a lot of decisions about his future.
"I'm just waiting for the next opportunity to come along," he said. "Something could come up; you never know."
He was a trooper, safety officer and public information officer for the Highway Patrol in the career that took him from Jefferson City to California, Columbia, Lee's Summit and, finally, the general headquarters in Jefferson City. With the National Guard, he was a supply clerk, military policeman, criminal investigator, public information officer and operations officer during a career that included service during the Kansas City riots in 1968.
His admiration for the work of the Red Cross volunteers during the riots led him to mention his interest in joining the local board, a request that was fulfilled by his friends from Trinity Lutheran Church, who also were long-time Red Cross leaders.
Joining Robinett at the presentation at City Hall last week were his wife Gloria, sons Gerald and David, and daughter Lori Graham and her husband, Johnny Graham.
The late Kevin Meinhardt, the award's namesake, served on the Board of Adjustment from 1997-2012 and demonstrated lifetime commitment to public service and high standards of ethics and professionalism, McMillan said.