By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Few of the Levy County Commission’s retiring employees have ever generated as much respect and admiration as Robert Lowyns, former Veterans Service Officer
He was given a hero’s farewell at the most recent county commission meeting as board members and others showered him with praise for his contributions that went well above and beyond what was expected of his job.
Lowyns, Levy County Veterans Service Director for 14 years and a retired Marine and law enforcement officer, was surrounded by admiring female employees telling him they would miss him before the start of the March 7 commission meeting.
It was a rare show of affection for a retiring county employee. Lowyns, dressed in a suit and tie, sat erect in his chair, like a Marine, and thanked them with a few kind words and a smile.
He is retiring for reasons related to his health.
County Coordinator Wilbur Dean said he appreciated Lowyns’ dedication in remaining in his position long enough to find a qualified replacement – Veterans Service Director Alajuwon White.
“Mr. Lowyns has done an outstanding job. We just appreciate the way you have sacrificed to be here and the fact that I know you stayed to make sure we have somebody you felt comfortable with turning over that position for veterans, for the people of Levy County, and service members – I appreciate that,” Dean said.
County Commissioner John Meeks said he had the privilege of knowing Lowyns for about three years after becoming a commissioner and learned a great deal from him and came to know him as an excellent Levy County citizen who wasn’t born and raised here but assimilated seamlessly into the community.
“He wasn’t one of those guys who talked about how they did things where they came from, how they used to do it in the Marines or anything like that,” Meeks said. “He was a model citizen.”
“For what Mr. Lowyns did not only for Levy County but for the veterans of this community goes well beyond any job he was paid to do,” Meeks added. “He went the extra mile. It’s just an honor and privilege to know him. I want him to know that coming from me in front of you all – he is a hell of a dude. I know we’re headed in the right direction.”
Commission Chairman Matt Brooks, himself a veteran, joined Meeks in thanking him for his service.
“Not only did he help veterans from Levy County but veterans from the surrounding area all over the state,” Brooks said. “Mr. Lowyns took care of everybody, it didn’t matter. That was pretty much the oath he took to serve the citizens and veterans. For your service to the county, I greatly appreciate and as a veteran, I appreciate your commitment to serving our veterans throughout the state of Florida and appreciate your dedication.”
Renate Cannon, a veteran, and spouse of Air Force veteran Barney Cannon, who couldn’t attend the meeting for health reasons, thanked Lowyns for his assistance to her family.
“I want to thank you from personal experience – the help you have extended to both of us, it will be remembered and cherished,” Cannon said.
According to the application he filled out when applying for the position of Levy County Veterans Service Officer when he was in the Marines, he served as administrator for Drill Instructor “B” Camp at Paris Island, South Carolina. He was the past commandant of the Tri-County Marine Corps League. He was the coordinator of the Marines for Life Program in the Department of the Marine Corps League. He also served 20 years in law enforcement.
He is a life member of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Association. He also served in Levy County civilian roles including volunteer vice chair of the City of Williston Community Redevelopment Agency, volunteer for the Levy County Nature Coast Business Development Council, and volunteer for the Levy County Enterprise Zone Development Agency.
——————
Board of County Commission Regular Meeting March 7, 2023; Posted March 15, 2023
