Celebrating the Retirement of Robbie Yoakum

After 26 years, 11 months and 29 days of dedication, and one-of-a-kind stories, Robbie Yoakum is officially retiring. For Robbie Yoakum, retirement marks the close of a long and meaningful chapter, one filled with hard work, and pride. Robbie has always been proud of the years he’s put in at the co-op, watching it grow, change, and expand far beyond what it was when he first started. From new buildings to new faces to new ways of doing things, he’s seen the co-op evolve into something bigger and stronger, and he’s grateful to have been a part of that growth every step of the way.

A Career Built from the Ground Up

Robbie started at Gascosage "right away at the bottom of the totem pole,” as he puts it. Before joining the company, he worked as a dump truck driver, in construction, and even at the Brown Shoe Company as a heel-setter. A self-described “jack of all trades, master of none,” Robbie brought every bit of that experience with him.

Within about five years, he became the foreman over Right-of-Way. The job fit him well, maybe a little too well, as he jokes that eventually he later moved into Locate and Rebate, where he finished out his career.

Mentorship and Influence

When asked who influenced him most over the years, Robbie told me: Jimmy Clark.

“He was always there anytime I needed help,” Robbie shared. “Anytime I had a question, he’d help in any way he could.”

That support helped shape the rest of Robbie’s time at the Co-Op.

Robbie claims he doesn’t have many sentimental memories, none he’ll admit out loud but one incident has stuck with him, and he will never forget. That moment shows the truest version of Robbie: straightforward and honest.

The Best Part of the Job

Though Robbie hasn’t worked with a big team in several years, he says he’ll miss the people more than anything.

“There’s no doubt I’ll miss a lot of the workers,” he said. “You can’t help but miss getting up and going to work every day. You just can’t.”

Advice From Robbie

In classic Robbie fashion, his first piece of advice for someone starting this career was simply:

“Quit it.”

After a laugh, he offered the real wisdom:

“Be on time. Work hard. I did work hard. I’ve got a good job here.”

And the best lesson he shared:

“When you go home, leave work at work. Don’t let this place become your life.”

Looking Back — and Forward

When asked how he hopes people remember him, Robbie shrugged and said, “I could care less.” But anyone who’s worked with him knows better. He’ll be remembered for being dedicated, , honest, and funny even when his humor came with a little bite.

Robbie doesn’t have grand retirement plans. No bucket list, no vacations, no strict schedules.

“I’m just going to do what I want,” he says. “No plans. I’ll just do whatever comes up… that hour.”

He joked about being “very lazy” in retirement.

Family and Support

His wife supported him in the best way she knew how, even pushing him out the door on days he didn’t feel like going to work. And Robbie admits that’s probably part of why he made it this far.

From heel-setting shoes in the '70s, to dump trucking, to becoming foreman and eventually Locate and Rebate, Robbie has lived a working life full of stories, lessons, and loyalty. Though he claims he won’t miss much, it’s safe to say the workplace wouldn’t be the same without him.

Robbie, congratulations on your retirement. We hope the next chapter is full of freedom, fishing, hunting, and absolutely no schedules, just the way you like it.