You may not know his name, but chances are he remembers yours if you’ve talked to him.
Among the tables and trays of the Oklahoma Memorial Union food court, custodian Robert Meiners quickly wipes the tables and sweeps the floors — always with a smile.
Born an average child, Meiners, 48, has had all but the average life. At 2 years old, he was hit by a semi-trailer truck while in the street in his home state of Louisiana, Meiners said. Because of the accident, his brain suffered irreversible damage.
However, Meiners said he never lets the accident or people bring him down.
“He is an inspiration to me and everybody else that knows him”, drama sophomore Matthew Percival said.
He still has an amazing memory and can remember people’s full names, where they work, where they live and where their hometown is after one conversation, he said. He does everything he can to get to know every OU student.
“He is always so nice, saying hi to people all of the time,” University College freshman Taylor Lowe said.
He makes it his mission to always be nice and to say hi to people, even when they are too busy to say hi back, Meiners said.
“I know sometimes people get busy, and they don’t want to talk, but I still say hi,” Meiners said.
This attitude and outreach always makes her happy, drama sophomore Anna Schafer said.
“He is so nice, and he always puts a smile on my face whenever I walk through the union,” Schafer said.
Meiners understands people often lead hectic lives, but he said he wishes people would slow down and enjoy life.
“He always brightens my day up when he takes the time to talk,” Lowe said.
Meiners always is happy with what he has rather than dwelling on what he doesn’t have, he said.
“I know most people don’t like Mondays, and most people get upset with school, but I’m just really happy to have my job,” Meiners said.
Meiners said he prides himself in his work as one of the longest employed custodians at OU, and he has no intention to leave OU anytime soon.
This year marks a decade of his employment at OU. Meiners said he loves his job more than anything because he is able to see OU students every day, and he likes to make people happy while he works.
He wants people to do what makes them happy, like his job does for him, he said.
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Tank 3 months, 1 week ago
Bob is awesome! He always made my day a little brighter when I worked in the Union.