Henry M. Robinett

Donna and Hank Robinett, June 2007 (I took it on my personal camera)

Henry Martin Robinett is the name of my hero. I call him “Grandpa,” most people call him “Hank” or “Rob.” Whichever name he may be called, there are no doubts that he is an awesome man. He has done more for his family, church, community and country than anyone else that I know personally. I may seem to have a slight bias because I am his first granddaughter, but I cannot imagine any person looking at his life and seeing anything but generosity and kindness.

My Grandpa Henry was born in Lake Stevens, Washington, in September of 1930. He was born in the home that his parents, Anna and Martin built on Robinett Road, (which still exists!), which was also a homestead plot of land. There's was the first home in Snohomish County with a flushing toilet. People would come from all over to see their toilet work! Henry had one older brother, John, who was eleven years his senior. Henry’s parents were immigrants, Anna from Wales and Martin from Luxembourg. They did not speak one another’s languages, so they communicated in their second language, English. Henry grew up in Lake Stevens and graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 1948.

After high school, my Grandpa attended community college for two years before joining the United States Marines. He was trained as a pilot, and sent to Korea in 1950 to fight for our country in the war. When my Grandpa was flying his plane, he was shot down by the Koreans. His ankle was blown off in the crash. He was then stripped of all of his clothing and personal belongings and left to die, bleeding to death. Miraculously, he was rescued, and given a blood transfusion which was tainted with Hepatitis B. He was told he would never walk again. He walks today, with only a very slight limp. He received a purple heart, and countless other medals for his time serving our country.

Henry Robinett and family Thanksgiving 2005 (My Library )

After the Korean War, my Grandpa was stationed in Hawaii, where he met and fell in love with Donna Joan Deierling, my Grandma, who was from the neighboring town to Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Washington. They married in 1954. They had my Uncle Martin, (“Marty”), my Mom, Julie, Aunt Joan and Uncle David. My Grandparents have been married for 53 years now, and still live together in Snohomish, Washington.

My Grandpa served in the Vietnam War from 1965-1967, when my Mom was young, and she remembers sending letters to her Dad, and she still has the postcards he sent her from his time there. Since my Grandpa was still in the U.S. Marines, he and his family were moved all over the country. They lived in Mississippi, Virginia, North Carolina (where my Mom was born), Nebraska, California, Seattle, Everett and a few other places. My Mom went to three different kindergartens because they moved so much! While they were living in Omaha, Nebraska, my Grandpa went to the University of Nebraska to receive his bachelor’s degree.

During the 1960’s while my Grandpa and the rest of the family were stationed in Mississippi, my Grandpa was involved with an investigation into the deaths of three civil rights workers who were murdered. He was the head of the Marine search and investigation of the missing men’s bodies, having a hotline straight to the White House in his office. The event was later made into a movie called “Mississippi Burning.”

After a long career as a Marine, my Grandpa retired in 1970, as a Lieutenant Colonel, and moved back to Snohomish, Washington with his family. He then attended Dean Witter Stock Market School, and became a successful stock broker. After that he was a bond banker, and in 1973 he partnered with Rich Boyden and became a real estate developer, half-owning Boyden Reality.

Since then, my Grandpa has been a very successful real estate developer, developing most of Snohomish County, and countless other areas. He even developed the neighborhood that my parents live in today! He also owns M2JD Holdings, Mallard Homes, and Robinett Development Company in conjunction with my Uncle Marty, who is a property lawyer, my Aunt Joan who is an architect, my Mom, who has a degree in interior design, and my Uncle David, who is a contractor.

Though my Grandpa may seem like he has it all, being that he has been so fortunate to be so successful, there is NO one that I know who is more devoted to giving time, money and energy to giving back to our community. He has hosted several foreign exchange students. My grandparents had a Polish family from our area live with them for over a year until they were back on their feet, then my Grandpa got them a home, a car and helped them out. He is a very active member of the Lion’s Club, he was the Snohomish County Republican Party’s “Man of the Year,” he helped build the Lake Stevens and Snohomish Boys and Girls Club, he is in charge of raising all of the money for both of the Boys and Girls Clubs. He erected a monument honoring our veterans in Lake Stevens, he is a part of the Snohomish Education Foundation, he is on the board of directors at both Cascade Bank and First Heritage Bank. My Grandpa is co-chairman of the Snohomish steering committee. He also volunteers to speak at Veteran’s day and memorial events yearly.

I once spoke with a former co-worker of mine who happened to be the mother of the mayor of Snohomish, who didn’t care for my Grandfather’s politics, but told me that “This town wouldn’t be a damn thing if it weren’t for your Grandfather’s generosity.” Maybe a little rough around the edges, but still shows what a great deal my grandfather has done in my community, and its impact on the people in it.

I found a letter from a man that had written to the Snohomish County Herald newspaper, and I thought that he very eloquently and succinctly stated some of the many things my grandfather has done for my community. (It was an editorial in response to a previous letter).

“Mr. Ron Larsen's personal attack on Hank Robinett (Feb. 2 Letters "Paine Field: Do we really need more traffic?") was a harsh affront on the character and integrity of this man I have known for 20 years. I have a profound respect for his dedication to the highest ideals of patriotism, humanitarianism and environmental concerns for Snohomish County.

Where Mr. Robinett lives is irrelevant to the issue of whether Paine Field should be opened to commercial air travel. What is relevant is his regard for a more economically prosperous, productive and progressive Snohomish County. He remembers when Paine Field was a thriving military airfield. He knows the value it represented to our nation and the economy of Snohomish County. He knows its value today in its potential for economic growth in Snohomish County.

Mr. Larsen acknowledged that he doesn't know Hank. But I wonder if he unknowingly met him while buying a hotdog from a weinermobile as Lion's Club members worked a fundraiser for benefit of the needy? Maybe he saw him speak last Memorial Day in Lake Stevens, or earlier in behalf of Naval Station Everett because he knew the base would provide an economic boost to Snohomish County and a strategic boost to the defense of our nation? I wonder if Mr. Larsen has heard that Hank represents his church's congregation as an elder?

Yes, Mr. Robinett cares about people. Whether they live north, south, east or west of Paine Field.

Mr. Robinett is not associated with companies Mr. Larsen mentioned. But I can tell you his work ethics are based on keen foresight, hard work and determination to do his best for the future of his family and his community. Hank's views on Paine Field have nothing to do with profiteering. And if anyone suggests he is "waiting for takeoff", it is in the takeoff of our area to new heights of progressiveness.”

-KRIS KRISCHANO Everett, Washington

I could write pages more and find dozens of letters from people that know and respect my Grandpa, Hank, but that cannot tell what I know in my heart, that my Grandpa is a hardworking, determined, extremely generous man, who genuinely cares about people. The impact of his actions have been increased economic growth, help for the needy, and countless other positive results. He is my hero because he gives way beyond what is necessary, he helps people who are in need, he contributes so much to my community and he has made an impact on so many lives.

Reference:

Krischano, Kris. (2003). “He Cares Deeply About Community.” Retrieved: October 8, 2007 from: