Former State Sen. Ben Bulldog Robinson Continues Community Service
community service, culture, sen. ben “bulldog” robinson,
Don’t let the nickname fool you. This Bulldog is a real softie.
Former Sen. Ben “Bulldog” Robinson gets downright nostalgic while talking about his 16 years of service in the Oklahoma Legislature.
“I know it sounds phony,” he says in a deep baritone that sounds completely incapable of uttering even a bit of phoniness, “but I loved taking care of people. I get teary-eyed thinking about it.
“People would contact us, both personally and professionally, and they had no way to go,” Robinson explains. “Being able to navigate the system for them and help them know where to go was one of the biggest pleasures I’ve ever known in my life. I told my mother years ago that I thought we were here on this planet to help other people. I’ve been lucky to have the resources and connections to help people weave their way through problems.”
Due to term limit restrictions, Robinson was ineligible to run for re-election after his term ended in 2004.
“I did not retire. I got fired when they passed term limits,” Robinson says with his characteristic good humor.
But Robinson is still serving his community in many ways.
“I’ve gone to work for Congressman Dan Boren as district director of the field and case worker’s staff,” Robinson says. “I love it. It’s nearly as good as being in the state senate.”
Another very visible example of Robinson’s desire to help his community actually stands on his front lawn. When the Muskogee Area Arts Council implemented a fundraiser called the Muskogee Rhythms Guitar Project, Robinson not only signed up for one of the eight-foot painted guitars, he commissioned a local artist to create a large metal musician to “play” the guitar. Both are proudly displayed on his front lawn, and the guitar is painted with – what else? – a bulldog and an American flag.
“It’s an attention-getter,” he says with a chuckle. “It’s on one of the main east-west streets in town. I just thought if we were going to do it, why not go all out?”
But what else would anyone expect from the man who has spent his life focused on giving back to his community?
“I’m 74 years old,” he says, “but I have an unusual amount of energy. I just love everything I do, which helps.”
Story by Kimberly Daly
Photo by Ian Curcio
