Calli, the 15-year-old calico cat, is in for a surprise.
No longer will Calli have the run of the house during the day while her owner, Rosemary Robinson, is at work as a Covert/Tactical Operations Administrative Specialist with the Amarillo Police Department.
For the first time in more than a half-century, Robinson can be at home during the day.
Robinson is wrapping up a remarkable career with the City of Amarillo (COA) as she officially retires Nov. 12 after 52 years of service to the citizens of Amarillo. She holds the record for most years of service as a city employee in Amarillo history.
“This will take some getting used to,” said Robinson, who turned 74 on October 25. “I know Calli will be wondering why I am still at home and why am I not leaving.”
Robinson was 21 years old when she started working for the city on Feb. 12, 1973. The McLean native was fresh out of West Texas A&M (then West Texas State) and was just hoping to do well enough that she survived her probationary period and became an official city employee.
“I guess I accomplished that,” Robinson said with a laugh.
To put her longevity with the city in perspective – Robinson has worked with seven police chiefs and 12 mayors. Richard Nixon was President of the United States when she began her career with the city.
“Retirement will be bittersweet,” Robinson said. “The key for me was that I really enjoyed my job for most of those years. The best thing about the job was not knowing what would happen when you walked in the door. Every day was different, and I like that.”
Robinson will miss the relationships of the past 50 years.
“All the admins are pretty close. We work together and become close,” Robinson said. “I have gotten to know and help so many of our police officers over the years and many of them are friends.”
“Rosemary is the epitome of a public servant and what it means to be part of the Amarillo Police Department,” said Interim APD Chief Jimmy Johnson. “She has been the example of dedication, consistency and stability for more than 50 years. We love her and we are going to miss her, but no one has earned retirement more than Rosemary Robinson.”
The obvious question is what will Robinson do with all her free time – for the first time in more than 50 years?
“I still bowl,” Robinson said with a smile. “My average is around 130 – sometimes worse sometimes better.”
Robinson also volunteers with Soroptimist International of Amarillo, a women’s service organization that aids women and girls in the Amarillo area in numerous ways with projects, etc.
“I have done that for the past 30 years, and I will continue to do that,” Robinson said. “I really enjoy it.”
Enjoyment was the key to Robinson’s career.
“That was really it – enjoying the job for all those years,” Robinson said.