‘Whis’ Palmer pumped about life in Cambridge About 45 people recently gathered at the Cambridge Library for the Historical Society’s annual meeting. The guest speaker for the evening was retired businessman Leonard Palmer, better known as “Whis”. He was asked to share his knowledge of this small rural community and very willingly accepted the invitation.  According to Palmer, he is not a historian but just someone who grew up in Cambridge and remembers what has happened over the years.  Although there were hundreds of history books resting on shelves upstairs, no amount of information could compare to this evening of tales.  Many guests enjoyed the walk down memory lane and learned a great deal about family, friends and relatives who came to make a life for themselves years before.  “Whis” as Palmer is frequently referred to because he often whistled in his younger years, is a great story teller.  With fellow local history buffs Jim Banse and Harvey Johnson in the audience, the evening provided a vivid account of times gone by.                                                                                Now 86-years-old, Palmer elaborated on the various businesses that he has seen come and go and the progress this small town has made since his childhood.  “You can’t get this type of experience from a textbook,” commented one local resident.  Many took pleasure in hearing about Cambridge’s past and the people that have given so much to make this small town community what it is today.    He recalled many pleasant memories about spending time down at the depot watching the trains come and go through town.  “We had a freight train and passenger train that would pass through each day.  The passenger train went to Peoria.  It was a diesel train with maybe 1-2 cars called the ‘Galloping Goose’,” Palmer said.  He also talked about the old brickyard that was once located where the Henry County Highway Department now resides.  “There are millions of clay tiles buried here,” he added.  Palmer is not shy about telling his story and the struggle this town experienced following WWII.  “My life has been real rewarding here,” stated Palmer.  Before he left for the service he used to work at a small gas station called Robbie’s Service Station owned by D.P. Robinson and located at the east end of town along Route 81.  At that period, the town was thriving and life was good.  Upon his return three years later, it seemed everything had changed.  What was formerly a booming Village with an abundance of gas stations, car dealerships and implement dealers, became little more but a square of vacant buildings.  “We had everything going for us until the war and then the loss of available products caused things to dry up around here,” said Palmer. Following his homecoming from the Navy in 1946, he went back to work at Robbie’s.  At the time, he was dating Fern Robinson, the owner’s daughter.  They were married the following year, and remained so for 62 years until her passing in 2009.  Palmer purchased Robbie’s in 1948.  He admits it was a struggle in the beginning, but he managed to work out deals with salesman in order to pay his bills. His daughter Barb Palmer, who has also spent her life in Cambridge, remembers how much time her dad spent at the station working many long hours each day.  “Dad was always busy starting his days early and not getting home until 6:00 p.m. or later,” said Barb.  Her mom would always have dinner ready for him each evening.  “On Wednesday’s and Friday’s he would work until 9:00 p.m. and I or my mother would take food to the station,” she added.  She recalls that he never had much help there until the early 1960’s.  Barb explains that he was also responsible for doing the book work at night and that also took up a lot of his time.  But, as a family they had a great deal of fun.  “We would go for rides on the weekends and talk about who lives where and other things around Cambridge,” said Barb.  She has wonderful memories of her childhood and growing up in town.  She is grateful for all the things the station has paid for including her college education.  “I’ve always had everything I needed,” she added. Once her younger brother, Scott, got old enough to lend a hand, he began to spend a great deal of time helping his father at the station.  He learned early from his father that good customer service and dedication to one’s work brings customers back year after year.  He attributes the stations longevity in an ever-changing economy to the fact that both he and his dad have always enjoyed coming to work each day and looked forward to greeting their many loyal customers.  “We provide services that we feel add a personal touch including fixing brakes and exhaust, oil changes and even repairing tires on bikes for local kids,” said Scott.   When people pull in and the bell rings, it’s a pleasure to serve them by fueling their car, washing their windows or striking up a conversation.  “We have kids stop in and hear the bell and ask ‘What’s that for?’ and we explain that lets us know when a customer is here,” he said.  Scott believes that their commercial accounts also appreciate the small town atmosphere and service provided at the station.  “I worked for my father until he retired at age 62.  At that time, I purchased the station making it the third generation to carry on the tradition of owning and operating the business,” Scott said.  He and his father share many of the same beliefs like treating people fairly and not pushing services on them they don’t want or need. Even though Scott took over the station in 1987, it still remains a two-man operation.  Besides himself, the only other full-time employee is Chris Brown, who has worked at Robbie’s for the last 10 years.  Scott’s wife, Lisa, also plays an important role in the family business by helping with the bookkeeping.  “It really isn’t just a storefront, but a family owned and operated business,” added Scott.  Even their 13-year-old son, Brayton, spends time during the summer months helping out at the station. The Palmer’s have established good working relationships with other businesses in town including the Cambridge Auto Parts and Gold Star FS, Inc.  “I try to purchase all my auto supplies in town when I can,” said Scott.  He is also very conscious about recycling at the station. The entire Palmer family has also donated a great deal of time volunteering and helping others in times of need.  Scott has since retired from the Cambridge Fire Department with over 20 years of service, while sister, Barb, continues to volunteer with Rebuilding Together.  It’s this type of commitment and reputation for helping others that keeps the bell ringing each day at Robbie’s Service Station.