Fred Martin

FRED MARTIN Fred Eli Martin, 87, of Las Vegas, passed away July 22, 2010. He was born Sept. 4, 1922, in Broseley (Butler County), Mo., and was a 23-year resident of Nevada. Fred began teaching in Butler County as a principal of a two-room schoolhouse when he was only 18 years old. Following his service in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant, during World World II (1943-1946), he continued his education and earned his bachelor's degree at Southeast Missouri State University. He then taught ninth grade general science at Poplar Bluff High School and algebra and chemistry at what was then Baptist Community College. Fred earned his doctorate in organic industry at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. He then went into private industry, where he specialized in pharmaceuticals, solid rocket fuel propellant, and finally as a membrane specialist developing membranes to convert ocean water to drinking water, hemodyalisis, and most importantly, membranes to convert rice straw and other cellulosic waste into diesel fuel. As a retired research chemist, he also published many articles and holds numerous patents. Fred is survived by his wife, Louise Martin of Las Vegas; son, Lee Fred Martin (Joyce) of Simi Valley, Calif.; daughters, Mary Martin DeShaw of El Cerrito, Calif., and Patricia Cantoni Weatherford of St. Paris, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sons, David Eli Martin of Azusa, Calif., and Sherman Weatherford, Phoenix; as well as parents, Eli and Nannie Martin; and sister, Thelma Martin Page, all of Poplar Bluff, Mo. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Destinations Spring Valley Clubhouse, 3925 S. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103. Donations may be made in Fred's name to the Good Samaritan Lutheran Church Building Fund, 8425 W. Windmill Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89113, where a stained glass window will be named in his memory.