Dr. Harvey Martin “Doc” passed away on Friday, January 31st, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 83 years old. He was a beloved Father, Grandfather, Husband, and Brother.

Harvey was complex, colorful, and many things to many different people. He was equal parts Humorist, Foodie, Flight Surgeon, Rodeo Cowboy, Mentor, and Psychiatrist.

He is remembered for his zest for life, willingness to help others, his kindness, generosity, and his fascination with human beings and their struggle for meaning, happiness, and peace in the lives they lived. He possessed an amazing ability to lead people to a better understanding of themselves.

His sense of humor and uncanny wit were legendary and would surface even in the most dire and serious occasions. It was irreverent and sophisticated. He laughed at himself with ease and frequency. His self-deprecating humor at times conveyed humility and approachability.

Harvey was born on September 23rd, 1941, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the oldest of four, having a sister and two brothers. He grew up in Salina where he always seemed at home. His Father was a Physician and his paragon. His Mother was pragmatic, a disciplinarian, and given his Father’s busy medical practice, was the “Conductor” of the family. His parents instilled in him work ethic, humility, acceptance, grace, and “The Golden Rule.”

Harvey attended the University of Kansas as an English Major and honed his Social Skills at the FIJI House where he was President. While at KU, he met his future wife, Sherry Zilner on a “set up.” She was 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 Airforce 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. He returned stateside in 1973 to Boling AFB in Washington, D.C. where he served as Base Dispensary Commander.

Harvey’s natural abilities 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.

Harvey’s Military Service brought him to Texas and Sheppard Airforce Base in Wichita Falls, where he was Chief of Mental Health Service and retired with rank of Colonel after 20 yrs. In 1982, he opened what is now Rose Street Mental Health Care. 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. His co-workers, colleagues, and staff were not that, but rather Family to him. He will be

remembered as a collaborator, mentor, teacher, counselor, advisor, and father figure to many. His legacy will live on through them.

Part of his enduring persona was that of a Cowboy. The real deal, not the Drug-Store kind: hauling horses in a trailer, cutting, riding bare-backs, bull riding, and steer wrestling. 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”. His rodeo lingo became metaphors throughout his life, “Open the gate,” “Don’t forget to spur out of the chute,” “Ride the full count,” and always, always “Ride with a loose rein.”

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. Services will be held at First Christian Church, 2701 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, on Saturday, February 15, at 10:00 AM.

A reception and Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 11:00 AM at The Forum (Arts Council) 2120 Speedway Avenue, Wichita Falls.

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.

Harper & Lucas Funeral and Cremation Services, 1500 8th Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104 is handling arrangements.