HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
After four and a half decades of civil service, one of Redstone Arsenal's top leaders is turning her focus to retirement, but she leaves behind a legacy that has changed the face of missile defense.
"Every experience that you have, no matter where you have it, is always going to come in handy somewhere later on in life," said Dr. Robin Buckelew.
Time tested advice learned over 45 years of federal service.
Buckelew officially retired Thursday from her post as the Director for Weapons Development and Integration at the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center.
"She's a great leader, great engineer, great visionary," said Eric Felton Edwards, Executive Director for AMRDEC.
Her colleagues sang her praises in a ceremony to mark the close of an accomplished career.
Buckelew's leadership stemmed into critical projects that helped shape the success of the army's missile defense.
She spent the majority of her career at Redstone and said Huntsville is the greatest army home in the United States.
"This place loves the armed services. It appreciates service, and it wants to help soldiers," said Buckelew.
Her life's work has saved lives, advancing the technology and capability in the hands of U.S. soldiers.
Despite all of her accomplishments, she credits her success to the teams she has worked with along the way.
"I want people to know that I appreciate every one of them, that I admire their contributions enormously," she said.
"Her legacy will live on in terms of the people that she's mentored that are now growing through the organization," said Edwards.
Buckelew plans to fill her time now with her favorite hobbies, volunteer work, and spending more time with family.
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Dr. Robin Buckelew has retired after more than 40 years working at Redstone Arsenal.
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