Col Richard (Dick) L. Martin USAR (Ret)

Dick was born August 20, 1936 in Yakima, WA to Sidney and Ruth Martin and passed away at Quail Hollow in Richland, WA, an assisted living facility, on Monday, January 27, 2015.  He was 78 years old. 

He graduated from Yakima High School, Yakima Valley Junior College, and Central Washington College.

Dick joined the Army Reserve in 1957 and spent 37 years until he retired. He spent seven years as an enlisted man until he became a commissioned officer and through promotions he attained the rank of Colonel and was appointed as the 2nd Brigade Commander of the 104^th Division at Pasco, WA, for a four year period until his retirement.  He took pride in his military career and was proud to serve his country. 

He married Shirley Adams in May of 1957 and they were married 57 years.   Upon graduation from college they moved to Walla Walla, WA where he taught school at Garrison Jr. High and where Dick later became the public relations director for the school district.  They then moved to Portland, OR where he became assistant manager of Northwest Food Processors Association.  Again they moved to Yakima, WA and he was a co-owner in Ichabods Tavern.  After the business was sold, the family moved to Sunnyside, WA where he became assistant manager and later manager of the Washington Asparagus Growers Association.  While working at the Asparagus Growers Association he participated in the first Agricultural and Forestry Leadership Training class and traveled to the Orient and China to study their agricultural methods. When the Asparagus Association dissolved he and Shirley moved to Richland, WA and Dick became the Facilities Manager at 100N on the Hanford Reservation for Bechtel until his retirement.  He loved to hunt but fishing was his true passion. 

After he retired, he would spend three months out of the year as a volunteer deck hand on the KADAHO charter boat in Depoe Bay, OR, and he and Shirley spent time traveling until his health declined.

Dick had many great accomplishments in his lifetime and many great travel experiences.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, a son Richard (Rick)(Sandi) Martin, a daughter Bonnie Martin; granddaughters Tabbatha (Eli) Callaghan, Amanda (Cameron) Fox, and Victoria Bretz; four great-grandchildren, two sisters Harriet (Don) Clark and Judy (Roy) Williams and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by a son and daughter, his parents, and both sets of grandparents. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Heartlinks Hospice Care or the Amanda Fox Medical Fund thru GESA Credit Union for his granddaughter.

Einan’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6 at 1:00 p.m. at Einan’s Sunset Chapel, Richland, WA.