MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL Miss Pat Robertson retires this month after serving patients for almost 58 years. A long chapter in Fairfield medicine draws to a close this month when Pat “Miss Pat” Robertson retires after working as a medical assistant for 58 years.

The medical professional spent 52 of those years with Dr. J.H. Keller, Jr., who continues to practice medicine in Fairfield.

Miss Pat came by her profession honestly—-her mother, “Miss Dessie” Robertson was a nurse for 50 years.

Born to Condia and Dessie Robertson in Fairfield in 1933, Miss Pat graduated Fairfield high school in 1952 and went to work at Fairfield Memorial Hospital on July 1.

“My mother said I could have a month off,” she says. “I was just going to work for the summer.”

That summer stretched for more than a half century—-the medical assistant left the hospital for about two years to work for a dentist, then returned to the hospital until she joined Drs. Keller and Joe Crossno in their clinic on Dec. 1, 1958.

MISS PAT ROBERTSON strikes a pose in her hospital whites near the start of a career that ran almost 58 years in Fairfield. She is still with Dr. Keller, at least until her retirement party at the Christian Life Center of First Baptist Church on Sunday, July 11.

“I truly believe I was God-called to do this. All I ever wanted to do is help people,” the 76-year-old says.

Miss Pat points out that she never went to nursing school, learning her job by working under good teachers.

“That’s my only regret, that I didn’t get a degree,” she says.

Over the years, she has helped take care of thousands of patients by getting to know them, personally, which the medical professional says is one of the most important parts of medicine.

Treating patients has not changed substantially in 58 years, but Miss Pat says the technology and paperwork has changed.

“I probably would not be quitting if not for computers,” she says half-jokingly.

As for immediate plans on retirement, Miss Pat reports that she will take a trip this fall to see Mount Rushmore, the Dakotas and Wyoming. She travels with a group that includes her sister, Martha Parrish of Palestine.

She notes that the group has gone to the east coast nine times over the years, so they decided to head west this year.

“I like to travel, but I can’t travel all the time,” Miss Pat says. “I’ll just do whatever comes along.”

The 76-year-old admits that most of her time through the years has been taken up by work and activities at FBC, but that she also enjoys reading, working in her flowerbeds and watching television.

“It is not going to be easy to give it up,” she says of her job.

The reception for Miss Pat is from 2-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, a money tree will be set up at the Christian Life Center, and guests can sign a memory book.

Refreshments are to be served and valet parking is available for older guests.