Ronald Martin

Ronald L. Martin, age 90, of La Grange died December 8, 2012. Ron is survived by six daughters: Diane Gilliard (Don), Karen Martin (Johari Dharan), Terri Daniels (Chuck), Lynn Martin (Hal Taylor), Kim McMahan, and Jill Martin-Golden (Mark). He left behind 14 grandchildren: Michael and James Gilliard, Zahari and Dewi Dahran, Chris and Peter Daniels, Henry and Katie Taylor, Steven (Adriana), Stephonie (Joe), and Paul McMahan, Elizabeth Germain (Eric), Samantha , Bethannie and Matthew Golden. The great grandchildren: Alex, Jacob, Xavier, Olivia, Erin and Jake. He is also survived by a brother, Ray Martin (Dorothy) and a sister-in-law of his first wife, Majorie Cooper. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 53 years, Margaret, nee Cooper, his parents and his three brothers. He died with his wife Eleanor, nee Daly. Ron graduated from the Naval Academy in 1945 and served on the USS Essex during World War II. He received his master's degree in 1950 and his doctorate in 1952, both at the University of Chicago. As a graduate student he worked with Enrico Fermi. His pioneering work on the early laser was recognized by Hans Bethe. He retired as the Director of the High Energy Physics Division of Argonne National Laboratories after more than 25 years of contribution. He was an internationally recognized scientist who established a company to develop accelerators for medical proton therapy in retirement. He was a brilliant mathematician who spent any "free" time working on proofs for Fermat's Last Theorem and Goldbach's Conjecture. He and his wife Eleanor were very active with the Circumnavigators and they traveled extensively. Services: Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 15 from 9am to Until time of Memorial Services 12 noon at The Community Presbyterian Church 1111 E. Madison St. Lombard, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent in his name to the American Physical Society (www.aps.org) or the National Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinsons.org). Arrangements by Brust Funeral Home Lombard info www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094