81-year-old Brunswick County truck driver receives national award

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County truck driver received a national award for his local work. The driver has spent the last 30 years of his career working for NFI Industries in Wilmington. 

“I had no idea this was going to happen to me, not at all,” Howard Robinson said. 

Howard Robinson lives in Bolivia. The Truckload Carrier’s Association named him Professional Driver of The Year. An already impressive title to hold means a lot more at his age, Robinson is 81 years old.  

He said he still can’t wrap his head around the recognition. He said to him, he is just doing his job.  

“It still hadn’t even set in yet. It’s like I’m going to wake up and this will be all over,” Robinson said. 

Along with the award, Robinson also received  $20,000 for his 45 years in the business. He said he bought his wife, Judy, a new car with the money.  

Robinson said in his free time he and Judy minister to those in prison. He said he wants to make a positive impact on the lives of those who hear his story.  

“They open the gate, I went in and started talking to them. From that point on, I guess it’s been 20 plus years,” Robinson said. 

Many of Robinson’s coworkers said it’s time his dedication to the job is recognized. Meet Daje Lewis. She said Robinson calls her his adopted daughter.  

“It is definitely well deserved. He’s getting all the recognition that he might not like because he is a very humble person. But he deserves it. He works so hard,” Lewis said. 

In meeting Robinson, he is exactly as Lewis described him, humble.  

“I can’t take any credit for this because it’s all God. It’s all God. I mean, it is all God. I can’t take any credit for it. I thank Him that He used me in this situation, though,” Robinson said. 

Robinson said he has no plans to retire. He said he enjoys work and the people whom he’s met through it.