Charles Daniel Martens

Charles Daniel Martens was born December 7, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Gertrude Kaplan and Earl Martens. Charlie served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War working as a radio repairman. He returned from Korea in 1953 and attended Brookyln Polytech University on the G.I. Bill. He received his degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1956 and was captain of the Fencing Team. Charlie married Rosemary Bellin Martens on December 29, 1956. Rosemary and Charlie were married for over 36 years before she predeceased him in 1993. They had five children, Cynthia, James, Thomas, Donna, and Peggy.
Charlie worked in many different fields including as an advertiser for Alcoa where he won the prestigious Cleo award. He ran his own advertising company, Martens & Associates, for five years from 1971-1975, at which time he wrote the book "Oil City" for the town's centennial celebration. Charlie retired in 1992 from the Federal Government where he worked as the Communications Director for the Bureau of Mines in the Interior Dept. after a 17-year career.
Charlie was an avid outdoors enthusiast and enjoyed hunting, canoeing, and archery. He was also an accomplished sailor, living on his sailboat for two years and sailing down the Intercoastal Waterway twice after he retired.
Charlie spent his last four years living at Lely Palms. He and Elsie Hawkins were regulars at the Thursday Happy Hours where they enjoyed dancing and socializing.
Charlie is survived by his five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
There will be a reception on Thursday, December 12, at 3:00 pm in Room 1F to reminisce about Charlie.
Arrangements for Charles Daniel Martens are under the direction of Legacy Options Funeral & Cremation Services.