MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Turner, Aguirre, Boyd, Holland, Huddleston (15th), Rogers (14th), Sullivan
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DR. RUDYARD BEAL "RUD" ROBISON, AND EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on September 15, 2017, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Dr. Rudyard Beal "Rud" Robison, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robison was born on March 20, 1929, in Tremont, Mississippi, the first of five children born to Raymond and Sula Robison, and was raised on Forest Lake Dairy Farm (now Ballard Park) in Tupelo, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, graduating with honors from Tupelo High School, Dr. Robison studied pre-medicine at Mississippi State University, attended medical school at the University of Mississippi and earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the United States Army Medical Corps at Fort Benning, Georgia, Dr. Robison had an opportunity to study as a direct trainee under Dr. Sterling Bunnell, who wrote the authoritative text on hand surgery, and after that two-year rotation, the Colonel and Chief of Orthopedics commended him on his surgical aptitude and skills, and encouraged him to stay on as an orthopedic surgeon; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robison graciously declined this promising proposition, and returned to the rural town of Saltillo, Mississippi, to fulfill his obligation for an earlier grant he received for college, where he would spend the next 53 years of his life as a "simple country doc," as he referred to himself; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robison was noted to have said, "It was a blessing being a country doctor, which is what I always called myself. I felt like I had a level of relationship with my patients that I would not have had with orthopedics. I think I was not only their physician but their friend. Something I would not have been able to do if I had specialized."; and
WHEREAS, the Saltillo Clinic opened on January 1, 1958, with an office fee of $4.00 and no employees, but 20 patients were cared for that day, and from that day forward, Dr. Robison opened his doors without discrimination and provided medical services regardless of one's ability to pay, as he fondly recalled being reimbursed for medical procedures numerous times with a half a dozen eggs or a bushel of beans; and
WHEREAS, many of Dr. Robison's patients and colleagues considered him one of the best diagnosticians they had ever met, but to him, he was simply being their friend, listening to what they said and applying that insight to his medical knowledge, embodying his favorite quote by President Eisenhower's cardiologist, "If you listen to the patient, long enough and hard enough - they will tell you what is wrong with them."; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robison's patients were always met with respect and graciousness, regardless of the person or diagnosis, whether a kitchen table birthing, a life-saving procedure or a bruised knee, until he retired at the age of 82, and when asked why he did not retire earlier, Dr. Robison said that he simply did not want to let his patients down; and
WHEREAS, a former Chief of Staff for the North Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. Robison's life outside of his practice revolved around his family, friends, business successes, farming and golf, with his family being of the utmost importance to Dr. Robison, whose devotion, love and support was unwavering; and
WHEREAS, one of Dr. Robison's prized business adventures was the residential development of the "Old Payne Place" on land that he acquired from his father and had farmed for many years, but he would always laughingly say that one of his biggest accomplishments was putting six children through college on an office visit fee of $10.00; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robison discovered golf in his late thirties, serving as President of the Natchez Trace Golf Club for several years, and he reveled that his first best score resulted in winning the club championship after three sudden death playoffs; and he and his wife Nancy enjoyed traveling and golfing around the world, and on many occasions during those travels, he was mistaken for golf legend Jack Nicholas, who he himself did a double-take when seeing his doppelganger across a putting green; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robison, a man of honor, integrity and unconditional love, gave his life to helping others, made an indelible impression on the lives of those he touched and will forever be cherished; and the legacy of Dr. Robison's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors, including his wife of 42 years, Nancy Robison of Tupelo; his children, Rud Robison, Jr. (Debra) of Tupelo, Raymond Andrew "Andy" Robison of Tupelo, Stacy R. Price (Dr. Mark) of Napa, California, Kim R. Mitchell (Tom) of Memphis, Tennessee, and Wendy R. Morrow (Greg) of Saltillo, Mississippi; his sister, Anne Robison of San Romon, California; and numerous grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the outstanding individual contributions of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Dr. Rudyard Beal Robison, whose steadfast commitment to his family, his patients and the practice of medicine has brought great honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and many accomplishments of Dr. Rudyard Beal "Rud" Robison, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dr. Rudyard Beal "Rud" Robison and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.