Martin Claude Reisch

1924 - 2009

Martin Claude Reisch, 84, retired news bureau manager for Bell Helicopter Textron, died Monday, June 8, 2009.
Service: Memorial Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, with rosary at 2, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2016 Willis Lane, Keller.
Martin was born Aug. 27, 1924, in St. Louis, Mo. He pitched in baseball's minor leagues alongside some up-and-comers including Yogi Berra. A veteran of World War II, Martin was called to serve under Gen. Patton following the D-Day landing at Normandy.
After the war, Martin moved to Denver, Colo., where he met and married Elodie. He was the first civilian to work at the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving as sports publicity director. He later joined the Rocky Mountain News as sports columnist. During this time, he also wrote a weekly sports column for the Denver Catholic Register and hosted a bowling radio show interviewing personalities such as Don Carter. In 1966, Martin moved to Fort Worth to join Bell Helicopter Textron as chief of national media. He retired from Bell after 21 years.
Martin was always active in church and school activities. He coached Little League, was an assistant Cub Scout master, headed parish committees, and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.
Martin and his wife of 60 years, Elodie, traveled the world together and enjoyed spoiling their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Reisch.
As a final act of generosity, he has willed his body to the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth to be used for educational purposes.
Survivors: His wife, Elodie; children, Norman and wife, Pat, of Colorado, Jim and wife, Sandy, of Dallas, Bill and wife, Betty, of Bedford, Mary Colette and husband, Don McCall, of Mansfield, Madonna Trujillo of Fort Worth, Annette and husband, Frank Kearns, of Bedford; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.