Gary "Marty" M. Amble

It is with sadness at our loss, but also gratefulness for his well-lived life that we announce the passing of our brother, Gary (Marty) M. Amble, 75, at his home in Denver, on August 2, 2022.

He was born on October 16, 1946 in Sioux Falls, SD to Elmer and Doris Amble. Marty graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1964 and then graduated in 1968 from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and he kept in contact with many of his frat brothers and attended many SDSM&T reunions and events.  

Marty began his professional career with the Shell Chemical Co. and then as an engineering consultant. The bulk of his career was spent in real estate property management, and the director of various community projects.  He was particularly invested in Colfax on the Hill, first as it’s executive director in 1986 and more recently as the recipient of the Character of Colfax Award in 2018 for his vision and role in the planting of trees along the avenue 32 years ago. 

He was a leader in political activism.  With the Denver Democrats, especially House District 9, he worked enthusiastically on campaigns and other issues with his many like-minded friends. He was awarded the Frank Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.  Marty found relaxation as a member of the Sports and Social Connections group in Denver.  With his friends there he enjoyed many activities including hiking, bowling, attending many special events, caroling, and parties.  Marty loved the city life with all of its people, diversity, events and restaurants. He especially loved outdoor adventures and traveling. Some of his highlights include hiking Grand Canyon, AZ; Longs Peak, Co; Cloud Peak, Wy; and Black Elk Peak, SD. Some of his travels took him across the US and to many National Parks. He traveled abroad to China, Aruba, Panama, Belize, Peru, Switzerland, Amsterdam and cruised on the Rhine River. One of his earliest excursions was as a crew member of a sailing vessel. 

Marty was an avid volunteer.  With HistoriCorps, a nonprofit, he used his skills and energy to help preserve historical sites, the most recent was this summer for the Devil’s Head Fire Lookout in Colorado.  When living for a brief time in Sioux Falls, SD, he volunteered as part of the chase team for hot air balloons. 

Family was always a priority for Marty. He showed up for birthdays, graduations, weddings, holidays, family reunions. With his brother’s and sister’s family, they traveled together, vacationed together, hiked together, camped together, canoed together, enjoyed baseball games and cheered on the Broncos together.

He is survived by his brother Greg (Beth) Amble of Sioux Falls, SD and his sister Mary (Wayne) Boots of Custer, SD; nieces and nephews David (Jasmine) Amble, CO, Becky Amble, SD; Rachel (Trevor)Lawhorn, SD; Robin (Boots) Buterbaugh, SD; Roy Boots, WA; Ross Boots, WA; and grand nephews and nieces Loren, Layne, Kemper, Sayers, Maddox and Tabitha.  Marty was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Doris (Olsen) Amble. 

A Friendship Memorial Gathering in Denver, will take place Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4:00pm at the Carla Madison Rec Center, 2401 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206. A service in Sioux Falls, SD is still pending which will be followed by interment at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to; Children’s Home Society of Sioux Falls, SD, Historicorps, and Center for Western Studies, Augustana University, Sioux Falls, SD.