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One of the five people killed when a small plane crashed near Willard was Robin Melton. The company she owned has released a statement celebrating her life and legacy.

Edited press release:

Environmental Works, Inc. announces, with great sadness, the passing of Ms. Robin Melton, Company Founder, Owner and President.

Robin was a devoted company owner and community member and leader.  She established EWI in 1992 and was steadfastly committed to the firm’s success.  This year marks EWI’s 20th year in business and the company now has over 50 employees and three Missouri office locations – Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis.  Robin deeply cared for her staff and enjoyed spending time with them.  She was known for taking her employees on company-paid trips for each milestone anniversary, with the next trip for EWI’s 20th anniversary planned for October 6, 2012.  Each year, she held company holiday parties along with other outings including picnics and ballgames.  Robin’s accomplishments earned her many awards and honors including the Missouri State University Outstanding Young Alumni award and the Springfield Business Journal’s 20 Most Influential Women in Business and “40 Under 40” honors.

Robin was also very dedicated to the community through her organizational involvement and charitable giving.  Throughout her career, she shared her time by serving as board member for a variety of organizations including the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Urban Neighborhoods Alliance, Springfield Innovation, Inc., Mercy Hospital, Southwest Missouri Humane Society and the Missouri Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund Advisory Board.  Robin also served as co-chair of Springfield's Strategic Planning Committee and in that role, assisted with the City's 20-year strategic plan.  She sponsored many organizations through charitable giving, including C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue, American Heart Association, Doula Foundation of Mid-America, Ozarks Greenways, KSMU, Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, and many more.

Robin had a profound passion for animals.  She owned and cared for many animals including her horses, which she loved to ride.  She enjoyed playing polo and was a member of the Springfield Polo Team.  Robin graduated from Missouri State University where she earned her B.S. in Geoscience.  She also had an MBA from Webster University and had completed graduate studies in Physical Geography at the University of Georgia.

“On behalf of EWI, we are deeply proud of the many contributions Robin made to the company and the community.  Her high standards and values are embedded in EWI’s culture and impact all that we do.  We fully intend to continue her ideals for the company.  Robin will never be forgotten as her legacy will live on, around the community through the many people she touched, including EWI’s employees.  EWI will continue to implement the vision, strategy and culture articulated by Robin,” said Jason Smith, EWI Principal Scientist and Group Manager.