Harvey Martin Obituary

Dr Harvey Martin (“Doc”), 83, passed away on Friday, January 31st, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was a beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather.  He was also a very complex, colorful, complicated man ranging from humorist, to foodie, to flight surgeon, rodeo cowboy, mentor, and psychiatrist.  Those that remember him will recall his zest for life, his willingness to help others, and his amazing ability to help others understand themselves.

Harvey was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the oldest of four, growing up in Salina, Kansas, where his father was a physician and his paragon.  His parents instilled in him a great work ethic, humility, acceptance, grace, and to live by the “Golden Rule.”

Harvey attended Kansas University as an English Major and honed his Social Skills at the FIJI House where he was President. While at KU, he met and married Sherry Zilner on August 31, 1963.  She would become his Kansas Relays Queen, life-long companion, lover, and financial advisor for over 60 years.

Harvey graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1967 and joined the U S Air Force as part of the “Doctor Draft”. After his internship at Grant USAF Medical Center in California, he was stationed at RAF Bentwaters, England, where he was part of the 78th Tactical fighter squadron “The Bushmasters”. While in England, he was USAF “Flight Surgeon of the Year.” Born out of the amalgamation of flying, the mission, and medicine was his often-uttered phrase, “Keep ‘em Flying!” He returned stateside in 1973 to Bolling AFB in Washington, D.C. where he lived with his family and worked on “General’s Row” and served as Base Dispensary Commander.

Harvey’s natural ability as a listener and interest in the mind, drew him to Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. In 1974, he took a sabbatical from the Air Force and enrolled in Adult Psychiatry Residency at the nationally recognized Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. His Child Psychiatry Residency followed at Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute at UC, San Francisco.

He was later transferred to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, where he was Chief of Mental Health Service and retired as Colonel after 20 yrs. In 1982, he opened what is now The Rose Street Mental Health Clinic. At Rose Street, he served as CEO and Medical Director for almost 40 years and fulfilled his vision of creating a premier psychiatric program for the North Texas Region. During his time at Rose Street, he championed a Child and Adolescent Day Program and developed one of the regions only Applied Behavior Analysis Programs for Autism, Rose Street Spectrum. He is recognized as a pioneer for the training, education, and support of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. While he was always a physician first, his desire to build, collaborate, and create a multi-disciplinary team of expertise in psychiatric medicine made him a reluctant CEO. Those that worked with him on a daily basis were considered as family, not just staff.

We all go through life at a different speed. Harvey’s was full throttle on everything.  His sense of humor and uncanny wit was legendary and would surface even in the most dire and serious occasions. His self-deprecating humor at times conveyed humility and approachability.  He lived by two books: The Big Book and The Holy Bible. His ubiquitous “ONWARD!” call, conveyed the recognition that although we are all broken and fallible, the best we can do is to face our challenges head on, right our wrongs, forgive ourselves and others as God forgives us, and move forward in our lives and try to improve; “JUST KEEP GOING.”

Harvey loved the Wall Street Journal and would read Sports Illustrated from cover to cover. His life revolved intensely around his beloved Jayhawks and KU Basketball. He flew the KU flag in homage to his team regularly on Saturdays. He admired John Wooden and the writings of Larry McMurtry and the humorist, Dan Jenkins. He was a snappy dresser and wore colorful socks, button downs, and preppy ties. He always wore his Swatch Watch, which conveyed a casual accessibility.

Part of his enduring persona was that of a Cowboy.  He won the Little Britches rodeo in three events and has the buckle to prove it. No doubt he has already reunited with his champion horse “Midnight” in the Great Arena in the Sky. His rodeo lingo became metaphors throughout his life, “Open the Gate,” “Don’t forget to spur out of the chute,” “Stay the full count,” and always, always “Ride with a loose rein.”

Harvey was no athlete but loved to compete. Wearing his omnipresent “Freud” T-Shirt he competed in the White Rock Dallas Marathon, The Cowtown, and most years in the “Hotter ‘n Hell Hundred’ finishing just as the finish line was being taking down. He was an avid participant in his hometown of Salina’s River Festival 5-mile race well beyond a time when his running stride had left him.  In addition, he never owned a toolbox.  Harvey knew better that to pick up a hammer or a saw, he could not build things with his hands, but his blessed talent was to fix broken spirits with those that called on him for help.

Harvey knew better than to pick up a hammer, wrench, or saw. He never owned a toolbox. He could not build or fix things with his hands, but his mind, intellect, and insight were able to mend the most broken spirits.

“Live All of Your Life” was always his closing advice. And He Did. Even until the end, he was still preparing to Live. In his words, “Death Like Birth is one of God’s Miracles.” As we all will one day, Harvey, Dad, “Doc,” died into Life and passed to the Eternal. His Spirit and Persona are with us always and in All of the Lives he touched. ONWARD!

Harvey is survived by his wife, Sherry, his two children, Holly Martin, and Dr Justin Martin and wife, Jenni. He is “Doc” to three grandchildren, Katherine, Will, and Christopher.  He is also survived by his sister, Jane Pemberton and two brothers, John Martin and wife Lisa, and Tom Martin and wife Teresa.

Services will be held Saturday February 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM at First Christian Church in Wichita Falls under direction of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home with a reception and “Celebration of Life” to follow at 11:00 AM at The Forum (Arts Council Wichita Falls) 2120 Speedway Avenue, 76308.

In Lieu of Flowers, the Martin Family requests that donations be made in Harvey’s memory to Wichita Falls Faith Mission: Faith Refuge. 710 E Hatton, Rd, Wichita Falls, TX 76302