Robert Smith Martin
Friday, August 29, 1924
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Age:
92 years old
Friday, August 29, 1924
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Age:
92 years old
Friday, August 29, 1924
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Age:
92 years old
Robert Smith Martin
Robert Smith Martin died on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Golden Living Center- East Nursing Home in Rochester, MN where he had been residing since 2010. He was 92 years old.
Bob was born August 29, 1924 in Sac City, Iowa to James and Frances (Needham) Martin. His middle name “Smith” was a family name passed down to him. Bob was the youngest of two children. After high school, he joined the Army Air Corp. From 1942-1945 (during WW2) he served in Italy and France. He was a member of the 32nd Bombardment Squadron and was a bombardier and aerial gunner on a B17. Later on he taught Morse code to pilots.
After the Army, Bob attended pharmacy school at the University of Iowa and the University of Washington.
He worked as a pharmacist at Winona Memorial Hospital, Winona, MN; at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN; at Eagle Drug Store, Rochester, MN and numerous other places before he retired around 2003.
Bob was married, and divorced, three times. His wives were: Rosella Arends, to whom he was married for over 30 years; Carol Hughes; and Betty O’Connor, with whom he dated for about 30 years after they divorced.
Bob was active in Toastmasters, Full Gospel Business Men, the V.F.W. and the Senior Citizens Center. He ran for mayor of Rochester twice. He was a member of the Dodge Center Seventh Day Baptist Church along with Rochester Autumn Ridge Church.
Bob will be remembered for his sharp wit, sense of humor, and remarkable memory for facts. He loved to tell jokes and spent time on stage and behind the microphone doing just that. He was also a very strong Christian and wasn’t afraid to stop you on the street to ask if you had Jesus in your life.
Bob is survived by a nephew James Martin Jr.; cousins Marilyn Iverson, Eugenia (Richard) Mintkin, and Sharon (Arlen) Sloan; ex-wife Betty O’Connor, step-daughter Therese O’Connor, and seven other step-children.
He was preceded in death by his ex-wife, Rosella Arends; his parents; his brother, James F. Martin Sr.; and his niece.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30pm Thursday, October 27, at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Dodge Center, MN with Pastor William Shobe officiating. A small reception will follow. Interment of ashes will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Rochester Senior Citizen Center (now renamed 125 LIVE), 125 Elton Hills Drive N.W., Rochester, MN 55901. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Robert Smith Martin has received the following condolences.
We enjoyed seeing Bob at Golden Living East. We became very good friends and he was always smiling and happy. He loved when they had music. Love and miss you Bob
My time with Bob was quite an experience. He was quite a character. We all loved him here at Golden Living East. He was funny, happy and always had a smile. A wonderful Christian man. And I miss him very much and his table misses him terribly.