PLEASANT VIEW-- Martin L. Robinette, C.L.U., age 87, died Monday, June 7, 1999 at McKay-Dee Hospital.
He was born May 3, 1912 in Brigham City, a son of Mac D. and Anna Korth Robinette. He was known to his family and friends as "Mart".On March 17, 1933, he married Lula "Lu" Smith of Logan. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple. They enjoyed a special love throughout their 66 years of marriage.
Mart graduated from Box Elder High School where he was awarded the American Legion Service Award. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree at Utah State University in Logan where he was awarded the Scholarship "A" pin and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Society. He was a life member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. While in college, he enjoyed success as a wrestler and as a member of the tumbling team.
Mart was President of the Robinette Company, which specialized in Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans. Prior to this position, he was manager of the Northern Utah Agency of Beneficial Life. From 1953 to 1958, he was an Officer and Superintendent of Agents for Beneficial Life Insurance Company at its home office in Salt Lake City. He was a top producer for Beneficial Life for many years. In 1976, he was honored as Beneficial Life's "Man of the Year". He was also a life member of the "Million Dollar Round Table". Mart had been recognized by his profession in having served as President of the Utah Association of Life Underwriters, President of the Ogden Association and President of the Ogden Estate Planning Council.
Mart continued his education throughout life, becoming a C.L.U. He was a participant in the Advanced Pension Seminars at Purdue University. He qualified as an Enrolled Agent to practice before the Internal Revenue Service.
In addition to his professional activities, he managed to find time to serve his church and community. An active member of the LDS Church, he served in numerous positions including Branch President of an independent branch, Stake High Councilman and Stake Sunday School President. Mart and Lu spent special years together as ordinance workers in the Ogden LDS Temple. He was a member of the Pleasant View 6th Ward where he was a High Priest.
His past community activities included the executive board of the United Way where he served as Allocations Chairman; Chairman of the Weber County Board of Family Services; a charter member of the McKay-Dee Foundation; and Executive Board Member of the Lake Bonneville Council of Boy Scouts.
Mart was known for seeing the humorous side of life. He loved people and brought laughter to hundreds with his "Uncle Thud" stories told at church, community and convention gatherings.
He was past president of the Ogden Rotary Club. He and Lu were both "Paul Harris Fellows". He was Rotary District Governor of District 542, covering Utah and Idaho in 1974-75.
In his early years, Mart enjoyed hunting with his dad and five brothers. Later, when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, his greatest joy was family gatherings at his home. For a number of years, Mart and Lu hosted their posterity for several days at a Bear Lake Resort. His family continues to grow and numbers close to 80. He became a golfer at age 80. He and his daughter, Susan, loved competing with each other. Other hobbies included traveling, landscaping and flower gardening.
Mart is survived by his wife Lu, of Pleasant View; two daughters, Ruth (Dave) Eakin, Portola Valley, Calif.; Susan Robinette, Ogden; one son, Martin Smith (Helen) Robinette, Ph.D., Glendale, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Also surviving are four brothers, Dee (Ruth) Robinette, Providence, Utah; Howard (Paulena) Robinette, Brigham City; Wendell (Bernice) Robinette, Lockford, Calif.; Darrell Robinette, Orem; one sister, Olive (Wendell) Fraughton, Ogden; and one sister-in-law, Marie Robinette, Brigham City.
Mart was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Delbert Robinette, of Brigham City.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant View Stake Center, 3602 North 500 West, with Bishop Deppe of the Pleasant View 6th Ward, officiating.
Friends may call at Lindquist's North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 North Washington Blvd., on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday at the Stake Center from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.