By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com
GLADSTONE — Sid Robbins received the 2025 Joe Wally Award from the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Joe Wally Spirit Award was first presented in 2000, initiated by chamber leaders Les Smith and Mark Tankesley. The award honors the character and spirit of Joe Wally, former editor of the Gladstone Dispatch and president of the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce.
According to the established criteria, the Joe Wally Spirit Award is presented to the individual who embodies the spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the Northland through selfless donations of time and energy in contributing to the betterment of humanity.
“It’s an unexpected honor to be named along with other Gladstone legends,” said Robbins.
Robbins holds degrees in English and creative writing from Southwest Missouri State University. After college, Robbins received his Masters of Divinity at Perkins School of Theology. He crossed the Atlantic to pastor a Methodist circuit in England. While overseas, he met his wife, and they were married two years later.
His volunteering spirit was evident early in his career as he served as the harbor chaplain for the British and International Sailors Society.
The ministry brought Robbins back to the United States, serving churches across Missouri in Joplin, Milan, Gravois Mills, Gladstone, Belton and now St. Joseph. While living in Gravois Mills, Robbins not only ministered, but also served as an elected member of the town council. Robbins also held leadership positions with the Mid-Missouri Ministerial Alliance and as the registrar for the district council of Ministry for the United Methodist Church.
While pastoring in Gladstone, Robbins immersed himself in the work of the chamber and community. That volunteerism continues 20 years later.
His first involvement with the Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce began when Faubion United Methodist Church, of which he was lead pastor, presented the Kids Corner at Gladfest in 2004. Since then, he’s assisted with Friday Fright Night and in multiple capacities with both Bluesfest and Gladfest. He was elected to the chamber board in 2008, served six years, and as chairman in 2011. He returned to the board in 2017 and served a two-year stint as the vice-president of special events.
Robbins has served as the chair of the Bluesfest for 12 years. Under Robbins’ watch, Bluesfest has continued to grow and event T-shirt and poster designs, Gladfest logos and any graphic design work that the chamber needs is produced by Robbins.
He has also served as the police and hospital chaplain in Gladstone and Joplin. He was a member of the Gladstone Arts Commission for over 10 years and has donated his time and talents to the annual Bill Cross 5K since its inception. He created the original logo for the event and has designed all the graphics for the T-shirts, helping to raise funds to feed hungry children in the Northland.
“My involvement in the community has been great,” he said. “Jayne and I still live in the community. One of the reasons I stay involved is the great people here. My memory goes back when there was no Linden Square and no community center. Through the vision and dedication of all of you, all of that has changed and Gladstone is growing and vital. The city leaders and staff have made remarkable changes,” he said while receiving the award. “… I’m grateful to all my friends I have worked with. When we rise together, we rise higher.”
