A boat sits waiting....Marty is not aboard.

Mulege has lost one of it’s most beloved people. Marty Robison is gone.

First of all, to Marty’s wife, Susie, and all the family, from our families to yours, let me extend our deepest sympathies and condolences.

Knowing Marty, I think his memorial should be a joyous one, not a mournful one. His contributions and generosity to the Mulege community are legendary. Mulege knew Marty for so long, one just took for granted all the good deeds he would routinely do for others. Two generations of orphans and children in need have loved him as their Santa Claus delivering gifts....those Christmas’s would have been bleak without him in that red suit and the huge bags of happiness and promise. The orphanage, schools, home for the elderly, or just a helping hand...Marty was not one to ask if he could help, he just went ahead and did it without any recognition needed. He was a mentor for all in his many acts of charity throughout the area.

Marty died a few days ago as the result of an auto accident. He was enroute to Loreto to pick up his son and friends who were coming to fish with Marty in the Mulege Dorado tournament. A car came around a curve into Marty’s lane and took his life.

We all knew Marty had a huge heart, and we also knew he had a passion for fishing...and he did this expertly. Here again his generosity extended to taking many eager ‘anglers’ out...and making them fishermen. He was a good teacher with lots of patience and a hearty laugh.

Marty's was also one of the first marine radio voices I can recall all those years ago when I was aboard my old cruiser, Pompano. Back then, there were not so many voices on the vhf, but every now and then I would hear this one boat being called for tackle info, where to fish, and so on. ’Marty’s Boat, Marty’s Boat...where the heck are you, Marty?” became a familiar sound to me. We became radio buddies on the Cortez before ever meeting face-to-face.

We loved to hear Marty tell us about his days on the water. He had his own very successful style. Marty was a master of the Mirrolure presentation...and could find a cabrilla or a yellowtail where no one else could. Many times when I was a little lazy, but still wanted to find fish...I would look for Marty’s wake. After some nice catches of brownies (cabrilla), we would discuss the other ‘brownies’ in the cooler.

There are plans to change the name of the Mulege Dorado tournament to a memorial for Marty...not because he won 1st place last year, but because he was/is loved by all of us.

Marty was also an avid dove-hunter and his lifelong friend, Jorge Yee of Mulege, will spread Marty’s ashes at the site of their favorite camp. Many old compadres will be there. Those times we have shared fishing and hunting in Baja are priceless, mi amigo.

So our little town grieves. Your passing has suspended reality for all of us. It was way too soon, and completely unfair on all accounts. I know as humble as you always were, that you would still be pleased to know that the place you loved for so many years sends its love and that faraway people who knew you have been grieving.

We've lost a friend, we've lost a champion, and we're gonna take some time adjusting to that.

I know I will always be lonesome for that sound...”Marty’s Boat..Marty’s Boat..” Tight lines, old friend.


[Edited on 5-27-2007 by Pompano]

Our sympathies to Susie and Family

I think Marty is aboard.