Martin Robinette

Martin S Robinette, Ph.D., Died 28 October 2026 in Sandy Utah.
(I have always understood that I was born to die. So I did!)

​Martin was born September 18, 1939, in Sacramento, California. The son of Martin Luther and Lula Smith Robinette. (His parents and both sisters, Ruth and Susan) were "A" students in school and extremely talented. Martin, on the other hand, was a daydreamer who flunked 2nd grade, requiring a repeat, and who graduated from East High School in 1958 with a 1.4 GPA (D+ average). To exploit a family tradition Martin cut his toes off in a lawnmower accident at 15 (in sympathy with his father who lost a leg in a train accident at age 12!)

​In his youth, Martin was greatly influenced by the loyalty and integrity of his friends Wallace E. Cragun and Bert K. Hammond. Martin later served (1959-61) as a missionary in the California Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Martin then goofed off for a couple of years at Weber State College in Ogden, Utah, where he was President of the Phoenix Fraternity and Vice President of the Blue Key Honor Society. His kind parents were less than impressed.

​Martin's life changed as he became devoted to helping teenage deaf boys while employed at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, UT. Martin returned to the University of Utah and in 1965 graduated with a BS degree in Education of the Deaf. On June 1st, 1965, he married and was sealed to Helen Banks of Palmyra, Utah, a fellow graduate in Education of the Deaf. Theirs was a deep and abiding love throughout their 61 years of marriage. Helen was blessed with a life-long gift of charity and humor! Martin continued his education with a Master's degree in Audiology at the "U" in 1967 and a PhD. in Audiology and Experimental Psychology at Wayne State University in 1970.

​Martin's professional employment spanned 37 years, beginning with 4 years as a Professor of Audiology at the University of Wyoming; 12 years at the University of Utah as Professor and Director of Speech Pathology and Audiology, and Associate Dean for Research and Development in the College of Health. The final 22 years as Professor of Audiology in the Mayo Medical School, and in the ENT Department, serving as Section Head of Audiology, Vestibular Evaluations and Cochlear Implants.

​Martin's research focused on auditory neurological processing and diagnostic measures. He shares a patent for the initial all-digital hearing aid and his work on otoacoustic emissions received national and international attention. His research led to numerous publications in scientific journals, including several books. Martin presented over 200 scientific papers and invited lectures across six continents throughout the world.

​Martin held several professional offices and chaired committees and boards in national and international professional organizations, also serving as president of three State Associations (Wyoming, Utah, and Minnesota).

​Honors included life membership in Phi Kappa Phi, Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Distinguished Achievement Award: American Academy of Audiology. Martin was delighted to have directed numerous master's degree and doctoral degree student committees. In 2018, he was honored by former students and colleagues through their funding of the "Martin Smith Robinette Endowed Graduate Scholarship" at the University of Utah.

​Martin was blessed to work with outstanding dedicated colleagues through his career. Martin wishes to acknowledge those mentors and scholars who inspired him to press on and enlighten his mind: John H. Gaeth, Leon Stein, Robert Brey, Dale Robinson, Wayne Olsen, David Kemp, Darrell Rose, Theodore Glattke, Kazinori Koike, and Kevin Schreurs.

​An active member of the LDS Church he served in numerous positions. Martin and Helen served 18 months in the Washington DC North Mission in the Anacostia area (an experience they loved dearly). Martin loved to travel and enjoyed taking Helen, or one of their 5 children, on each professional trip to Washington, DC, or abroad, and taking time for extended vacations. In retirement, Martin enjoyed writing, working on stained glass and model railroads.

​Martin is survived by his wife Helen; their five children, Martin (Rebecca) Robinette, Michael (Natalie) Robinette, Laura (Trent) Woolston, Diane (Steven) Schofield, Jennifer (Troy) Carter; 26 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Martin found it remarkable that each of their children was more intelligent, independent and gifted than their father. With Helen, our greatest blessing is our wonderful children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who love, care, and support one another. What could be greater than that?
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Humanitarian fund at https://give.churchofjesuschrist.org/campaigns/81334/donations/new or the charity of your choice.

​A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 31, from 11:30-12:30 PM at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Boulevard, Ogden, Utah, followed by Martin's funeral service at 1 PM.

The funeral service may be live streamed at the following link: https://myersmortuary.livecontrol.tv/8d223ff5

Interment will be at Myers Evergreen Memorial Park, 100 North Monroe Blvd, Ogden, Utah.

Please help us celebrate Martin by sharing memories and uploading photos to his memorial page at https://myers-mortuary.com/obituaries/martin-robinette

Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary of Ogden.