I want to share this news story because it really explains a common, recurring situation that occurs when custodian, housekeepers and other service workers really love their jobs and the people they serve.
MUSKOGEE, OK — Everyone remembers Pete Robbins’ characteristic greeting to the children as they came into the building at the start of the school day, according to the Muskogee Phoenix.
"Every morning he stood at the door and gave every child a high-five, a smile and a ‘good morning’ as they came through that door," said Carolyn Stach, a teacher at Fort Gibson for 43 years.
Robbins died on Sept. 27 at the age of 89, the article noted.
"Pete was the kind of guy who never met a stranger," said Roger Shaw, long-time principal at Fort Gibson School while Robbins worked there.
"He knew every child in school. Every one of them had a nickname," Shaw added.
"Sometimes it is the people who seem to have a small part in our lives that make the biggest impact, and Pete was certainly one of those people," said Cheryl Todd, a 1989 graduate of Fort Gibson High School.
"He would still recognize you 30 years after you were in school. For many of us, he was our parents’ custodian, then ours, then our kids’," Todd stated.
Click here to read the complete article.
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John WeirWith over 27 years in Healthcare Environmental Services (ES), I lead with a belief that attitude drives outcomes. As a Regional Director at MultiCare Health System, I oversee multi-site ES operations with a focus on people-first leadership, infection control, and operational excellence.
I champion a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) not as a slogan, but as a leadership principle. I believe positivity is contagious, and as a leader, I set the tone. Through consistent, uplifting communication, I create environments where ES teams feel empowered to be helpful, proactive, and proud of their impact.
For me, development is a choice, and I invest in training, huddles, and coaching that energize teams, helping them thrive in their current roles and grow toward what’s next. My approach to high standards isn't theoretical, it's practical. Just like we notice when a hotel room is clean and fresh, patients and families immediately sense a space that’s been cared for.
Through standardized protocols, team accountability, and a shared mission, I help create clean, safe, and healing environments that directly enhance patient experience and staff well-being. It's a privilege to lead teams that play such a vital role in the patient journey, and to help elevate the perception and performance of ES professionals across our system.
