Richard “Dick” Lee Martin
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Mass of Christian Burial for Richard “Dick” Lee Martin, 80, Lawrence will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 4, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. He passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO.
Dick was born October 10, 1936 in Kansas City, MO the son of Melvin Benjamin and Virginia Lee (Mathews) Martin.
He married Dorothy Alice Reiter December 7, 1958. She preceded him in death December 30, 2005. He and Dorothy were preceded in death by their first son, Douglas Martin, in 1960.
Dick achieved Eagle Scout while in Troop 89 in 1952. During his time in Denver he built race cars. In 1959-60 Dick worked on a natural gas pipeline across Minnesota. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1962, and the Missouri National Guard from 1963 to 1975. While serving at Fort Sill, he received his pilot’s license — he owned and piloted airplanes for the remainder of his life. After completing military service, he attended Finley Engineering College and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then became Quality Manager at A.B. Chance Company in Centralia, MO and was an active member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lions Club and Kiwanis. He began work with Aeroquip Corporation in Lawrence, KS in 1972 and later co-owned Kansas Manufacturing. He was an active member of St. John’s Church, participated in the Lions Club and was the President of the Evening Kiwanis. As a pilot, he participated in the 99s, served as the Midwest Regional Director of the American Yankee Association and volunteered with Angel Flights. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a generous member of the community.
He is survived by his sister Michele Lynn Hart of Overland Park, KS, his children Susan Kay Sass of Boise, ID, Gregory Alan Martin of McKinney, TX, Glenn David Martin (wife Rebecca Sue O’Connor) of Centreville, VA, and Cynthia Lee Martin (wife Wendi Norton) of Lawrence, and grandchildren Abigail and Connor.
The family will greet friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Angel Flight Central www.angelflightcentral.org or to the 99s Women’s Pilot Organization www.ninety-nines.org or may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Cindy, Glenn and Greg-
Your dad will be sincerely missed at the airport and in the aviation community. Deepest sympathies to you all.
Tammy and Calvin
We will miss you my old friend,may God bless and take care of you
And bless and look over your family.
I’m saddened to hear of Dick’s passing. I’m so incredibly blessed to have called him my friend. You will be sorely missed; especially for the KU games. We will all miss the shrimp! Rest in peace Dick! And to the family, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a guy!!
On behalf of the American Yankee Association (AYA) and Dick’s Grumman pilot friends, I would like to express our great sorrow at the loss of our friend, Dick Martin. Dick was loved and respected by all, and we will miss him at our annual conventions, fly-ins and gatherings. Dick gave generously of his time and resources in support of the AYA throughout the many years that he was a member, Regional Director, and host of numerous fly-ins. Dick was also a staunch supporter of our Scholarship Fund which has assisted many young student pilots in obtaining their Private Pilot’s license. We will miss you Dick, but know that your spirit is flying high in God’s love.
With deep sympathy and condolences,
Guy Warner
We were truly saddened to hear of our friend Dick’s passing. We were both looking forward to meeting Dick again in only a few weeks in California. Dick was a one of the greatest contributors to our flying community and the AYA. His great sense of humor with that glint of mischief in his eyes will be forever missed by us on earth but appreciated at his reunion with Dottie. Tail Winds my friend.
What a touching tribute to your dad! The video shows how loved he is. He obviously touched many lives and will be missed. My wish for his family is that all of the great memories you have will help carry you through during sad times. RIP Dick.