By Carl Fish
LAKE WALES, Fla. — Just weeks after being named a 2026 Polk County Pioneer, longtime Lake Wales attorney and community leader Robin Gibson is set to receive another honor.
During its July 7 meeting, the Lake Wales City Commission is expected to proclaim July 7, 2026, as “Mr. Robin Gibson Day,” recognizing Gibson’s decades of service to the community and his lasting contributions to preserving the history of Lake Wales and Polk County.
The proclamation follows Gibson’s recent recognition by the Polk County Historical Association as a 2026 Polk County Pioneer. The annual designation honors residents who have made significant contributions to Polk County and helped preserve its history for future generations. To qualify, recipients must be at least 75 years old, have lived in Polk County for at least 50 years, and complete an oral history interview documenting their memories and experiences.
Gibson, 89, has called Lake Wales home for approximately 60 years. Earlier this year, he completed a four-hour oral history interview, sharing memories of his life and the growth of the community over the past six decades.
A familiar name to generations of Lake Wales residents, Gibson has spent decades serving the community as an attorney and civic leader. In addition to his private law practice, he served for many years as attorney for the Lake Wales Charter Schools and has played a role in numerous local organizations and initiatives that have helped shape the city.
According to the proclamation, the Polk County Historical Association and the City of Lake Wales are grateful for Gibson’s efforts to preserve the stories and history of the community through the organization’s ongoing oral history program.
Gibson was formally recognized as a 2026 Polk County Pioneer during the Polk County Historical Association’s Annual Meeting and Pioneer Luncheon on June 23 at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland.
If approved as expected, the proclamation will officially designate July 7, 2026, as “Mr. Robin Gibson Day” in the City of Lake Wales, honoring a man whose influence has been felt in the legal profession, education, public service and the community for decades.
