Dean Martin

Anyone who knew Dean Martin, knew of his passion for his family and the world around him. Dean passed away suddenly on Monday, November 28, 2011, a few days following being struck in a pedestrian crosswalk.
His family and friends describe him as kind, gentle, generous, dedicated, goofy, nerdy, determined (bull-headed), enthusiastic, effective, inquisitive, focused, committed, and dry-witted.
Dean (or Dean Dear to some) lived with no regrets. He enjoyed life. He loved every aspect of water: being in it, on it, viewing sunsets over it, drinking it, and walking by it at low tide. He also loved the land, hiked often, and walked everywhere. He championed preserving farm land and open space for present and future generations, dedicating his life to making the world a better place.
Dean was born in Sioux City, Iowa, December 26, 1951, to Carl and Bette Martin, the first of five sons. He received a Masters Degree in Water Resources at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
Dean met his wife of 30 years, Carol Blaney, at the Iowa Ski Club Christmas Dance in 1981. He asked Carol if she would like to dance, and she said, "But there's no music." Dean responded, "There will be." Dean would always be ready and willing to do anything for his two daughters, Calla and Natalie, and was always so proud of everything they did.
He spent twenty-five years dedicated to environmental protection with the Department of Natural Resources for the State of Missouri. In Jefferson City he worked on many boards, commissions, task forces, and other organizations and was also a City of Jefferson Council Member. When not at work, Dean restored historic buildings with his wife Carol.
Following retirement from the State of Missouri, both Dean and Carol longed to be near water and mountains and found the ideal spot in Bellingham, Washington. Dean worked for Lummi Nations and then was a Senior Long-range Planner for Whatcom County. True to his nature, Dean started volunteering as soon as his "feet hit the pavement". He volunteered many hours in many organizations including being on the Columbia Neighborhood Association Board (he loved his neighborhood!), Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, local political activities, Chuckanut Radio Hour, Futurewise, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Transition Whatcom, RE Sources and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. He embodied the ideal of "Act locally, think globally." In signing out of any email, Dean would say:
"The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land…A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and the beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac. 1949.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Bette Martin. He will be greatly missed by his best friend and soul mate Carol; his wonderful daughters Calla and Natalie; his brothers Dale (Linda), Don (Martie), Dan (Margaret), and Dru (Cathy); father and mother-in-law Jim and Helen Blaney; sisters-in-law Ruth (Eric), Donna (Randy), and Gail (Joel); extended family and friends, he loved "heaps and gobs."
A Celebration of Dean's life is scheduled for December 12, 2011, at 5:00 pm, at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth in Bellingham.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites people to contribute to: Futurewise Whatcom, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Whatcom Land Trust, RE Sources and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (all contact info on website). To support the Bellingham Food Bank, you are welcome to bring canned goods to the service.
You may share your thoughts and memories with Dean's family at www.MolesFuneralHomes.com.
Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Main St., Ferndale