Richard “Dick” Lee Martin

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.