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Ralph MARTIN Obituary

MARTIN, Ralph H. Ralph H. Martin of Stuart, Florida and Sandwich, Massachusetts, died October 15, 2010 at the age of 86. Mr. Martin had previously been a resident of West Hartford, Connecticut for thirty years. He is survived by his wife Marsha Martin; two children from his first marriage, Dr. L. Elizabeth Cooper-Martin of Rockville, Maryland and Jeffrey S. Martin of New York, New York; four grandchildren; stepsons Graham Gerlach of Denver, Colorado and Blair Gerlach of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; four step-grandchildren; and his beloved longhaired daschund, Amy. Mr. Martin was born on December 22, 1923 in Youngstown, Ohio. As a youth, he was a prodigy in chemistry, which formed the foundation of his higher education and early professional career and also led to his selection as a rocket scientist for the United States military. Valedictorian at Warren G. Harding High School, Mr. Martin attended Carnegie-Mellon University as a Westinghouse Scholar, where he received both bachelors and masters degrees in chemical engineering. At Carnegie-Mellon, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. During World War II, Mr. Martin initially served in the merchant marines, then as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve. During his military service, Mr. Martin was assigned to rocket development at the Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory in Cumberland, Maryland. In 1945, Mr. Martin married the former N. Suzanne Scott, a classmate at Carnegie-Mellon. That marriage ended in divorce in 1994. Following completion of his graduate studies, Mr. Martin embarked on a career in manufacturing and held senior management positions at Pittsburgh Consolidated Chemical Co., Standard Packaging Corp., and The Dexter Corporation of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, a manufacturer of specialty materials and a Fortune 500 company, where Mr. Martin was Executive Vice President and a director. Other directorships included American Pad & Paper Co. of Holyoke, Massachusetts and the Manufacturers Association of Hartford County. Following more than twenty years at Dexter, Mr. Martin retired in 1985. Mr. Martin was an accomplished golfer, with six holes-in-one and numerous championships to his credit, as well as an astute collector of antique golf clubs and golf-related silver, prints and books. He was a member at the Willoughby Golf Club of Stuart, Florida and The Ridge Club of Sandwich, Massachusetts, and previously held memberships at the Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, Florida; the Card Sound Golf Club, Key Largo, Florida; the Hartford Golf Club, West Hartford, Connecticut; and the Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, New Jersey. He was an active and tenacious senior tournament player, shooting his age on several occasions, and was a member of the Southern Seniors Golf Association. Beyond golf, his other interests included investing, gardening, and international travel. It was Mr. Martin's wish that contributions in his honor be made to The Salvation Army of Martin County, 901 SE Johnson Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34994. A memorial celebration in Mr. Martin's honor is planned for the second weekend in November.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Nov. 7, 2010.

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October 26, 2010

Was saddened to read of Ralph's passing. I had the pleasure of knowing Ralph for many years at the Ocean Reef/Card Sound Golf Clubs in Key Largo. Although it has been many years since I left ORC, I remember Ralph as one of the truly fine gentleman and golfers that I was privilidged to meet in my thirteen years at the club. He was a tenacious competitor and an even more loyal supporter and friend. I always enjoyed our rousing debates about the game of golf and especially about his knowledge of the golf swing and his passion for his club collection. I remember quite well one particular day at Card Sound when Ralph made a Hole-in-one on the 5th hole and then holed out his second shot on the par four 6th hole; quite a rare feat indeed!
My sincere condolences to his family on their loss---"an old golfer friend -TM"

October 26, 2010

Was saddened to read of Ralph's passing. I had the pleasure of knowing Ralph for many years at the Ocean Reef/Card Sound Golf Clubs in Key Largo. Although it has been many years since I left ORC, I remember Ralph as one of the truly fine gentleman and golfers that I was privilidged to meet in my thirteen years at the club. He was a tenacious competitor and an even more loyal supporter and friend. I always enjoyed our rousing debates about the game of golf and especially about his knowledge of the golf swing and his passion for his club collection. I remember quite well one particular day at Card Sound when Ralph made a Hole-in-one on the 5th hole and then holed out his second shot on the par four 6th hole; quite a rare feat indeed!
My sincere condolences to his family on their loss---"an old golfer friend-TM"

October 24, 2010

Marsha you are in my prayers and thoughts. I will call you after Nov. 2 when we have time to talk and your life will hopefully be more calm. Love, Justine

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