ORIENT, OH — A Pickaway County pastor who gave his life while attempting to rescue his children from a house fire last year has been posthumously awarded one of North America’s highest civilian honors for heroism.
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has awarded the Carnegie Medal to the late Pastor Mark Robinette of Orient for his selfless actions on January 23, 2024, when he entered his burning home multiple times in an effort to save his children.
According to the Commission’s citation, the fire broke out just after midnight while Robinette, 55, his wife Andrea, and their children were trapped on the second floor. As flames and smoke filled the home, Robinette helped his wife escape through a window, then lifted his 14-year-old son through another window onto the roof below. When the boy pleaded to go back for his 10-year-old brother, Robinette refused — promising to save the younger child himself.
Before returning into the smoke-filled hallway, Robinette intercepted his 24-year-old daughter, carried her to safety, and helped her out the window. He then ran back inside toward the bedrooms where his 10-year-old and 17-year-old sons were trapped. All three were later found deceased, having succumbed to smoke inhalation.
The Carnegie Medal, established by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1904, recognizes civilians in the U.S. and Canada who risk their lives to save others. Along with the medal, recipients or their families may receive financial support, scholarships, and recognition for extraordinary bravery.
The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office announced the award, expressing condolences and urging the community to continue keeping the Robinette family in their thoughts and prayers.
Robinette, the founding pastor of Foundation Church, was remembered as a compassionate leader, writer, and missionary who lived his faith through service. He was known for his work with the Chin community of Myanmar and his ministry’s outreach to the poor and fatherless.
“Mark was a bold, brave man who died as he had lived — enduring difficult things to make a way of escape for others, even if it cost him everything,” his family said in his obituary.
Robinette is survived by his wife Andrea, their six children, and a large extended family.
For the full Carnegie citation and details on the award, visit carnegiehero.org.
