Health Director Bruce Robistow, whose five years at the helm of the health department included guiding Halifax County through the COVID-19 pandemic, was honored by commissioners with a resolution today.

Robistow decided to retire at the end of October.

Before reading the resolution Commissioner Carolyn Johnson, who also serves on the health board said, “I can truthfully say that of all the directors I’ve worked with, you’re one of the best and I think I told you a couple of months ago that I wished you wouldn’t leave but you told me you were leaving anyway.”

Johnson said a reception in Robistow’s honor spoke well of him “because there were a lot of people in attendance and they had a lot of wonderful things to say about you. One of the nicest things that was said was that you allowed them to do their jobs.”

Robsitow said, “The last five years of my career have been incredible here working with an incredible team of people in the health department. We have gotten so much accomplished and we survived COVID. We could not have done that without the best team. I couldn’t have done that if it wasn’t for the support of my family. This is the way to go out after five years of pride and professionalism, accomplishment and making permanent friends and family.”

Board Chair Vernon Bryant told those gathered at the meeting, “I had COVID and almost died. This health director contacted me every day — texted me or called me every day when I was at the hospital and I was at the hospital for 11 days. Even when I got home he did the same thing, checking on me, advising me, checking with his medical people about what I needed to do. I will never forget that, Bruce, and I do appreciate it.”