The appraisal profession is mourning the loss of a truly dedicated and hardworking individual. Scott Robinson, 62, the 2016 president of the Appraisal Institute (AI), died Jan. 22 from an accidental fall inside his home, as reported by the Salisbury Post.

Many people were shocked and saddened to hear of Robinson’s death.

The family’s pastor along with Robinson’s wife Kim, daughter Molly and son Miles, gathered at his bedside for a brief service before he passed.  

The funeral was held Jan. 26 at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Salisbury, N.C.), and was live streamed on the church’s website so friends near and far could participate.

Stephen Roach of San Diego, who also was heavily involved with the Appraisal Institute, knew Robinson for more than 30 years.

“Scott was well-known for mentoring people and helping them get through the process of various designations,” Roach told the Salisbury Post. “He was particularly interested in exporting the best practices of the Appraisal Institute around the world. He was a small-town boy from Salisbury who cast off those shackles long ago. Every single person I know has a story that Scott had just the right thing to say at the right time. Someone told me this morning that he was an ‘uncommonly good man’ and that’s true.’”

“It’s an unspeakable loss for his family, but it is a devastating loss for the appraisal community around the world,” Roach added.

Kim Robinson described her husband of nearly 33 years as “a father who has always been very supportive of his children’s decisions. Because he worked for himself, he would be there for all of Miles’ and Molly’s activities,” she told the newspaper.

“He taught me and the kids a lot of important things. That’s his legacy. We were always Googling what he would say, but he was always right,” she said.

Valuation Review spoke with Robinson’s colleagues, who expressed their heartfelt sentiments, as well.

“Scott was truly a leader in the industry and a man that loved his family dearly.  He was always smiling and willing to help others,” Adomatis Appraisal Service CEO Sandy Adomatis told us. “I first met Scott in the 1980s when we were both young and fairly new to the Appraisal Institute. He was always a man of integrity and kindness. He spoke the truth even when it may not have been what you wanted to hear. Scott will be missed by many and I am blessed to have had him as my friend and colleague.” 

Roach also reached out to us saying “one of the lines from the eulogy today really stuck with me – ‘be like Scott.’ That would actually be a pretty solid default stance to take if you wanted to be kind and helpful to people.”

“The world lost a mighty soul when Scott Robinson passed,” former AI president and current CEO Jim Amorin said. “If the measure of a life well lived is not its length, but its breadth and depth, Scott Robinson lived at least 4 lifetimes. Still not long enough for all left behind and his beautiful family which he loved deeper than he lived. Anything I say will be reductive of the giant that Scott is for so many.  He was truly a friend to many, a tireless bridge builder, and someone who made you better for having known him.

“I worked closely with Scott for more than two decades and traveled the world with him. I was always grateful to be there to hold his bags and just watch in amazement at the connections he made, the words he expressed and the transformations he enabled through his ideas and actions. Mostly, I am heartbroken for his wonderful family who he cherished. I am lucky to call Scott Robinson a friend,” Amorin added.

“Scott was incredibly dedicated to the Appraisal Institute, and valuation profession, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” AI President Rodman Schley said. “He was an incredible friend, mentor and selfless servant to so many people and organizations. I will miss Scott dearly.”

When Valuation Review traveled to Charlotte, N.C. for the 2016 AI conference, Robinson was very gracious and giving of his time. He sat down with yours truly to discuss his vision and direction he wanted to see all appraisers take then, and in future years to come.

That year’s conference theme, “Navigating Valuation,” which spoke to the core message Robinson and AI wanted to convey, was the perfect message.

“Particularly in this era, we are inundated with a lot of obstacles,” Robinson told me from Charlotte. “Much like a ship’s captain who has to navigate through the harbor to get to port, appraisers have to navigate through these obstacles. From regulatory issues and the aging of the profession to the inundation of technology, appraisers have to navigate to get to clear and calmer waters so as to find their niche and practice in developing their reputations.

“We thought, then, that the ‘Navigating Valuation’ was the appropriate theme,” Robinson added. “The lighthouse is symbolic of the Appraisal Institute. For 84 years now, we’ve been that steadfast beacon, sending out that signal to appraisers with the message this is what you need to do to distinguish yourself. The No. 1 thing we need to do in this organization is to get people to understand how to distinguish themselves within the appraisal profession so they do what they need to do in the valuation profession to protect the public’s trust.”

I also recall the intense heat of the city during that three-day conference, to which Robinson replied with that big smile of his: “the heat, well, that’s just warm southern hospitality.”

And with diversity being an even hotter topic within the appraisal profession today, many inside the industry would be proud and applaud Robinson’s stance on the matter. He embraced the diverse opinions in the profession believing “the best decisions are made after the best debate. Unless you challenge yourself with diverse opinions, you’re not pushing the envelope and doing what’s best for the profession. The passion our membership has is what makes us so strong,” he said.

Robinson made the appraisal profession even stronger. He truly exemplified the meanings of professionalism and dedication. Valuation Review extends to the family, friends and colleagues of Scott Robinson our deepest sympathies. He will be missed.

*For a look back on some previous articles featuring Scott Robinson, click on the following links.

Commoditization of appraisals ‘troubling’

President navigating ship through obstacles

Live Coverage: Appraisal Institute honors award winners