Robert Edward Martin

Robert Edward Martin, 69, died peacefully on June 21, 2024, at the Hock Family Pavilion hospice in Durham, NC, after a brief illness. He was born April 3, 1955, in Ansonia, CT, the son of Edward A. Martin and Ann Fiorello Martin, who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Susan Ward of Bahama, NC, and his son Phillip Martin of Charlotte, NC, as well as by his cousins Laura Manzone (Ronnie Wilson) and Elaine Zito (Guy Zito), by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Al and Susan Rae Ward, and by his nieces, nephews, and cousins of the next generations.

Bob grew up in the rich cultural diversity of Ansonia, a town of immigrants from many backgrounds, including his own Italian and Irish heritage. As a child, he explored the woods and old apple orchard around his home and played with all the kids on his street. In high school, he was on the football team, served as vice president of his class, and had the formative experience of attending Boys State. Recently, he was happy to be at the 50th reunion of the Ansonia High class of '73, a special moment that felt to him like "closing the circle." He graduated from Boston University with a major in English, after also spending an important year of his college life studying at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, and having adventures traveling around Europe. After graduation, he spent a year of graduate study in English at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, a time that he always looked back on fondly.

After the school years, he moved back to Boston, MA, and began working as a technical writer, which eventually led to a long career in project management. He thrived on living in Boston, always making new friends and finding new things to be interested in. After meeting Susan (at one of those early tech writing jobs!), he started envisioning a different next phase of life together. They were married on April 16, 1988, and soon afterward moved to North Carolina, where they were happy to be able to work at RTP while living and raising their son Phillip in the beautiful countryside of Bahama. He also welcomed Phillip's friends and opened their home to them. He was most proud of seeing Phillip grow into a strong, good man.

Bob never stopped having new interests or making new friends. Even in the last few days before his sudden illness, he was talking about all the things he wanted to do next. He enjoyed retirement, taking multiple continuing education classes, getting together with his friends, and traveling when possible. He was fascinated by everything from physics to poetry-and music, always music! Working in his beloved garden really sustained his spirit. He also loved everything about cooking, and his talents were much appreciated by all. He used the produce from his garden in his cooking and then composted the leftovers to enrich the next round of plants. As a "Master Composter," he always marveled at the beauty of that transformation.

In earlier years, Bob's civic involvement included membership in the Bahama Ruritan Club, serving on the board of Little River Community Complex, and volunteering locally. He was a member of The Congregation at Duke Chapel for over 25 years.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in his hometown of Ansonia and on Cape Cod, where he spent many happy summers growing up. Donations in his memory may be made to one of his long-time favorite organizations, SEEDS in Durham and Children, Inc., or to the charity of your choice.