One of our industry’s “good guys” has left us way too early.
Martin “Marty” William Altshuler, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at the age of 65. So many of us in the musculoskeletal community became part of Marty’s circle of friends and experienced his joy, generosity, vision, and his ability to inspire and connect.
Born on July 22, 1960, in LaFollette, Tennessee, Marty was the son of Daniel Martin Altshuler and Joan Baker. He was the middle child in a family of five brothers.
Marty was a 1978 graduate from Webb High School in Knoxville. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of Tennessee in 1982, later completing his MBA at Lincoln Memorial University in 2000.
While at the University of Tennessee, Marty met the love of his life, Karyn. He often described her as the greatest blessing he had ever received. Together they built a beautiful life rooted in faith, devotion, laughter, and unwavering partnership. Marty and Karyn were married for more than 40 years. In later years, nothing brought him more joy than being “PopPop” to his five grandchildren, who lit up his world.
Marty’s first job out of college, 1983, was medical sales with DeRoyal Industries. Of course Marty took to building relationships like a duck to water. He rose quickly through DeRoyal’s leadership ranks, eventually reaching the Regional Vice President level overseeing the western United States.
To Marty, success was never simply about sales or business growth — it was about people. He believed deeply in relationships, loyalty, and helping others succeed. Colleagues and friends alike often remarked that Marty had a unique way of making everyone feel like the most important person in the room.
In 1995, Marty and his family returned home to Knoxville, where his entrepreneurial spirit truly flourished.
In 2002, alongside his close friend and business partner Rick Henson, Marty co-founded ChoiceSpine, Choice Medical, and Choice Orthotics & Prosthetics. What began as an ambitious leap of faith became one of the most respected growth stories in the spine industry.
Rick and Marty Almost Lose the Business
Three years after starting their business, in 2005, Rick and Marty lost their major distribution line. It was a sink or swim moment and neither man was in any mood to retreat.
As Marty later reflected, “We went quickly from being a distributor to being a designer, manufacturer and marketer of spinal implants across the U.S. That was a pretty daunting task, but we had a great partnership working together as owners and were blessed in the team we assembled in a short time to accomplish our strategic goal and mission.”
From the Ashes Comes ChoiceSpine
Rick and Marty transformed ChoiceSpine from a regional distributor into a nationally recognized innovator in spinal technology, known for rapid product development, surgeon-focused solutions, and a relentless commitment to excellence.
Marty helped guide the company through numerous milestones, including the acquisition of Exactech’s spine business, expansion into international markets, and the development of groundbreaking spinal fusion technologies.
Marty was especially proud of the deal to acquire Orthotec’s spinal implant portfolio in 2006 — a turning point that launched ChoiceSpine into full-scale design, manufacturing, and distribution across the United States and internationally.
What many viewed as a daunting challenge, Rick and Marty embraced as an opportunity.
Another key milestone was Rick and Marty’s acquisition of Baxano Surgical’s VEO Lateral Access & Interbody Fusion System followed by their successful launch of multiple proprietary spinal technologies, and their gutsy and strategic purchase of Exactech’s spine business in 2017 — a move that firmly established ChoiceSpine as a major force within the spinal fusion market.
Finally, one key accomplishment that meant so much to Marty was ChoiceSpine’s 1,000th successful TOMCAT Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) procedure in 2017. That reflected, really, ChoiceSpine’s growing reputation for innovation and surgeon trust.
Marty often took the greatest pride not simply in the products themselves, but in knowing the company’s work positively impacted patients’ lives around the country.
Marty believed in innovation, strategic growth, and investing in people. Speaking about ChoiceSpine’s future, he once said: “Our desire is to continue grow with the goal of doubling our sales by bringing to surgeons the best product technology and resources available…. Our focus will continue to be in degenerative spine with an increased effort in additive manufacturing while also looking to enter into other more complex spine and biologics initiatives.”
As the ChoiceSpine record amply shows, success for Marty came from empowering people and creating opportunities for others to grow.
And ChoiceSpine, which experienced years of double-digit growth became widely respected throughout the orthopedic and spine community for its entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional leadership team — starting with Marty and Rick Henson. .
Selling ChoiceSpine and ‘Retirement’
In 2019, Rick and Marty sold ChoiceSpine. Marty continued serving as Executive Advisor for ChoiceSpine until his retirement in January 2024.
Retirement never truly suited him. In classic Marty fashion, he earned his real estate license simply because, as he joked, he “didn’t want to be bored.” His curiosity, ambition, and love of connecting with people never slowed.
Outside of work, Marty was a proud member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Zeta Chapter, a devoted supporter of the University of Tennessee, and a Chancellor’s Associate from 2017–2020.
Some of his happiest moments were spent cheering the Vols alongside family and lifelong friends — whether on football Saturdays in Neyland Stadium, baseball games at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, or courtside at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Inspired by his late father-in-law’s passion for aviation, Marty earned his private pilot’s license.
Service to Others
Service to others remained central to Marty’s life. As a board member of CareCuts of Knoxville, he played an instrumental role in helping expand the nonprofit’s ability to serve Knoxville’s unhoused community with dignity and compassion. He was also a faithful member of Resurrection Presbyterian Church.
Above all else, Marty’s family was the center of his world. He loved fiercely, encouraged endlessly, and showed up wholeheartedly for the people he cared about. He will be remembered for his contagious laugh, magnetic personality, compassionate heart, quick wit, and unwavering generosity. He was the first to offer help, the first to celebrate others’ successes, and the steady presence so many leaned on throughout life.
Marty was preceded in death by his father Daniel Martin Altshuler; his mother Joan Baker; his father-in-law Joseph Johnston Wimberly, III; and his sisters-in-law Robin Hooke Altshuler and Lynda Joyce Wimberly.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Karyn Wimberly Altshuler; his children, Emily Altshuler van Eerd (Michaël), Davis William Altshuler (Kelsey), and Kathryn “Kate” Elizabeth Altshuler; his beloved grandchildren Connor, Scarlett, Warren, Baker, and Annie; his brothers Adrian Altshuler (Robin, 1960–2006), John Altshuler (Donna), Ryan Altshuler (Nanette), and Keith Altshuler (Cindy); his extended Wimberly family; and countless dear friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives were forever enriched by knowing him.
Masterclass in Leadership, Faith, Friendship and Resilience
Marty’s life was a masterclass in leadership, faith, resilience, friendship, and love.
Hearing of his passing was a shock and thousands of his best friends in the orthopedic and spine world will miss him greatly. Marty’s true legacy lives in the people he loved, mentored, encouraged, and inspired every single day.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to CareCuts of Knoxville (5200 Clinton Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37912) or Resurrection Presbyterian Church (4424 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919).
