Good as Gold

A Tribute to Phillip Robuck

Whether you have lived in Acworth for five years or 50, chances are you have met Mr. Phillip Robuck. You may know him as your high school history teacher. Or maybe you know him as the voice of Friday night North Cobb High School football games. Perhaps you have volunteered alongside him for any number of local organizations. You may have seen him having lunch at Henry’s Louisiana Grill. Or, if you are really lucky, he may have given you a gold coin and told you that you are “as good as gold.”

I know we can all agree that Mr. Robuck is truly an example of what we all love about Acworth. It is people like him who make the difference in a neighborhood. He has lived a life of selfless service and dedication to our community. Mr. Robuck has shown us time and again that it is the investment in people and relationships that make life deeply meaningful.

As a waitress of nearly 10 years at Henry’s Louisiana Grill, I recognized Mr. Robuck and his wife, Winona, as regular customers. But it was not until a few years ago that our friendship became an important part of my daily life. You see, around the same time Mr. Robuck lost his wife to cancer, I lost my father to the vicious disease. We were both experiencing a gut-wrenching loss. But every morning  at 11, I had the blessing and the honor of having a conversation with Mr. Robuck as he enjoyed his lunch. Instead of sinking in his grief, he would always ask how I was doing. He encouraged me to keep my head up. Talking with him was my bright spot in dark days. Mr. Robuck may not have been my school teacher, but I continue to learn valuable lessons from him. He has taught me that a smile and a kind word can change someone’s entire day. He has taught me that when I put my own grief aside, I can simultaneously lift that burden from someone else’s shoulders. He has taught me the value of genuine friendship and has fostered a love in my heart for this tight-knit community.

On Feb. 7, we had the opportunity to show Mr. Robuck that he truly is “as good as gold.” People from all over town came to surprise him for his 79th birthday. It was such a privilege to meet people of all ages and all walks of life whose hearts have also been touched by my dear friend. Everyone shared stories and even pictures from his days teaching at North Cobb. What a celebration!

In addition to celebrating his birthday, this was also the official unveiling of a plaque at the booth Mr. Robuck sits in every day. So the next time you have lunch at Henry’s, look for the handsome gentleman sitting in the corner table, “The Robuck Booth.” Take a minute to say hello and shake his hand. Phillip Robuck is the kind of man who will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart; and in my humble opinion, he is one of the greatest things about our little town of Acworth.

By Kinser Euler