Bob Martin
Robert Dale “Bob” Martin was born in Sutherland, Nebraska, on Nov. 30, 1934, to William Robert Dale Martin and Pauline Mae (Knight) Martin. He died and peacefully left this earth March 5, 2022, at the age of 87.
Bob was blessed with a life close to his loving family. He married Phyllis Lockwood on Aug. 28, 1953, and helped raise their three children, Rob, Randy and Marti, with strong values on the farm and ranch.
With an eighth grade education from Cement schoolhouse southeast of Holyoke, he worked on the family farm helping his family begin Martin Angus Ranch, which he later purchased and developed with pivot irrigation. He was amazed by the many changes in agriculture from hand-husking corn to the modern-day combines!
Bob was known for his hard work ethic, working as a “Jack of all trades” and “master of many,” from carpentry, plumbing and electrical, and helping build Melissa Memorial Hospital with his uncle Roy Knight. Sometime in the 1960s, he began a land leveling business for many years before center pivot irrigation began. He had a love for “good” cattle and enjoyed raising his herd of registered black Angus.
Bob’s true success was on March 25, 2018, when he truly understood, for the first time, that if your name is not written in the Book of Life, then you’re lost. He received Jesus Christ as his personal savior.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis; grandson, Dusty; parents, Dale and Pauline; brother, Bill; and sister, Cass.
Bob is survived by his son, Rob and wife Lisa of Platteville; son, Randy and wife Judy of Wray; daughter, Marti and husband Rod Miller of Buffalo Creek; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sister, Bonnie and husband Jim McFadden; sister, Jackie and husband Don Hill; sister, Ronda and husband Bob Fetzer; and many other family and friends.
Memorials can be made to A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center or Youth Challenge.
A celebration of life was held March 12 at Holyoke Assembly of God Church, followed by a private family inurnment.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.