April 18, 1934 – March 31, 2013
Myron T. “Marty” Martin, 78, peacefully slipped away with his wife at his bedside at their home in Salem. He died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Marty was born in Eugene to Leo T. and Eileen F. (Thomson) Martin, descendants of early Ore-gon pioneers, Fayette and Marie (Tewksbury) Thomson who settled in the Willamette Valley in 1852.
He graduated from Eugene High School and attended Oregon State College. During that time he met Eldonna Jean “Donna” Bohnstedt at the Lebanon Roller Rink. They were married in October 1954, just 24 hours before he shipped out for two years in the U.S. Army.
They were stationed in Baumholder, Germany, where their son, Randy was born. Marty received the Army of Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
After military service they returned to Oregon where Marty worked for Lane Veneer in Eugene. When the veneer plant closed, they moved to southern California in search of work.
He worked for U.S. Motors as a draftsman, at the same time continuing college courses in Engineering. He earned his EIT license and settled into a career as a Controls Engineer. He worked in the Controls field for 20 years.
During that time he traveled twice to Japan and twice to China, as well as to several coal and nuclear power plants in the United States, to trouble shoot and do start-ups on precipitators.
Marty worked for many companies, including Lockheed, Douglas Aircraft, Joy Manufacturing, Atomics International, Rockwell International, Energy Systems Group and Electrical Designer. While working for Atomics International he joined the Rockwell Flying Club in Van Nuys, Calif. He got his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying from Southern California to Oregon on family vacations.
Marty and Donna were foster parents to 15 children while living in Simi Valley, Calif., adopting one, Amy.
He enjoyed gardening, traveling, boating, covered bridges and visiting Oregon’s natural wonders.
Survivors include his wife, Donna; son Randy and daughter-in-law Sally Martin, and their children, Stephanie and Tiffany; daughter Amy Martin Swing and son-in-law Louis, and their sons Taden, Tegan and Tanen; half-brothers Monty, Leo Jr., and Ira Martin; half-sister, Julie Martin Stevens; step-sister, Sherry Stoutenburg Winston and brother-in-law Bob.
Marty was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Leona Stoutenberg Martin.
A memorial service was held April 9 at Salem Evangelical Church with Pastor Randy Butler officiating.
Arrangements are by City View Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to Signature Hospice, 25117 SW Parkway, Ste. F, Wilsonville, OR 97070; or ALS Foundation Development Dept., 27001 Agoura Road, Ste. 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 97301 or by phone at (888) 949-2577.