Richard S. Martin

Richard S. Martin died Saturday, June 7, surrounded by his family after a brave fight with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 68.

Dick was born Sept. 16, 1945 in West Branch, the son of Robert and Katherine Martin (later Morrison). After graduating from West Branch High School in 1963, he attended Michigan State University for two years before joining the United States Air Force. The Air Force afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the world. He was stationed - among other places - on the island of Crete, in the jungles of Brazil and the icy expanse of Greenland.

He married Dorene Soltys in 1973 and they had two sons. Dick was a career electrician and a proud member of IBEW, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He worked many years as a contract worker at The Dow Chemical Co. in Midland and he retired in 2004.

Dick was a devoted husband and father who loved to work hard and play hard. He was an avid skier, loved to ride his Harley, play golf and spend time at their summer home on Clear Lake in Ogemaw County.

Dick is survived by his sons, Bryce (Kathleen) of Chicago and Tyson of Midland; and one granddaughter, Hannah Winter Martin. He also is survived by two brothers, Brian (Arlene) Martin of West Branch and Arthur Morrison of San Francisco; and brother-in-law, Gary (Mitzi) Soltys of Scottsdale, Ariz. He also is survived by seven nieces, who looked up to him with great admiration.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Martin and Kaye Morrison; his sister, Mary M. Miner; brother-in-law, Hollis Miner; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Sue Soltys.

Dick received a double-lung transplant in September 2012. His family is grateful to his donor, a stranger who allowed him to live nearly two years - long enough to meet his granddaughter and spend more time with the people he loved.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gift of Life Foundation, the Clear Lake Fire Department or your charity of choice.

Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will be on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 from 5-9 p.m. The memorial service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in West Branch, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. The Rev. Lisa Cook will officiate.