By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News

Fultondale leaders and residents gathered Monday to celebrate the life and retirement of a man who helped so many.

A reception honoring pharmacist Dr. Bob Formby was held at Fultondale City Hall following the city council’s meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Formby, who retired in November from a retail chain pharmacy, was presented with a proclamation from the city. He listened as council members and residents heaped praise on his career.

Mayor Jim Lowery called Formby a Fultondale fixture who helped so many residents during the years he owned and operated Fultondale Pharmacy from 1964 to 2002.

“I listened to my mom and dad talk about what you did for my family,” said Lowery to Formby. “We looked at you and your family as friends and we’ll always feel that way about you. We thank you for what you’ve done for our community.”

Some residents praised Formby for allowing customers to open a credit account at his store if they couldn’t afford to pay for medications.

Others praised his judgment and said his advice was often as good or better than a physician’s. Another resident said Formby would have medicine delivered to customers who were unable to come to the store.

Councilman Greg Morris said Formby and his wife Kay were “good folks who gave their lives” to the Fultondale community.

“All of these people are here for you and Kay,” Morris said. “It’s not about what you do, but who you are.”

On Tuesday, a humble Formby said he was honored to have been recognized at the reception, even though he initially had reservations.

“When they called me and asked me to be there, I told them I’d have to think about it,” he said. “But I thought it would be a good forum to thank them for what they’ve done for me and my career.”

Formby’s life as a pharmacist stretches back to 1959 when he began an undergraduate internship at his uncle Franklin Little’s pharmacy in north Birmingham. Formby would end up staying at the pharmacy — Cowgill Drugs — until 1964. He started Fultondale Pharmacy in October of that year.

“Johnny Fassina was building a shopping center where the CVS store is now,” he said. “He had built a 7-11 store and I called and told him ‘I’d like you to build a pharmacy.’”

The pharmacy remained in that location until 1991. Formby later bought property on Stouts Road and moved the pharmacy there. In 2002 he closed his pharmacy and worked for a retail chain for seven years.

Over the years, Formby said he earned the trust of his customers and gained a loyal following.

“The people in the north Jefferson area put their trust in me and I had that loyal patronage for 40-something years,” he said. “That to me was a blessing.”

Formby served at least four generations of customers over his career. He laughed about his longevity as he told about an experience he had in September while filling a customer’s medication.

“I had a girl come through the drive-through lane who looked like she had just gotten her driver license,” he said. “She told me, ‘My great-grandmother had her prescriptions filled by you.’”

Formby said since his retirement, he’s enjoyed watching football and spending time with his family and wife Kay, whom he’s been married to for 47 years. However, he hasn’t ruled out working a few hours a week.

“I’m going to miss that every day situation. I had so many good years,” he said. “I put my life into that area and they responded. The customers became my family.”