Robert Anthony "Bob" Martinez

Robert (Bob) Anthony Martinez died on March 9, 2026. He was born July 1, 1940, in Las Vegas, NM, to Jose and Carmen Martinez.

Bob was the second of eight children, four boys and four girls. Raised in Colorado and Nebraska, he graduated in 1958 from St. Patrick's High School in Fremont, NE. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.

He attended the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, MN, on a football scholarship, transferred to Texas Western College in El Paso, TX, and later Wichita State University. In 1963 he married Sharon Paseka, a fellow St. Pat's alum, and they started their family in Wichita. Sharon worked as a nurse while Bob finished college, graduating in Chemistry in 1965. They were blessed with three daughters and a son.

Bob was employed at Enmar Paint Company, Ameron, and Wilko Paint. He was at Wilko Paint for 25 years, working his way up to company president.

Bob was rarely idle. He played tennis and racquetball before work. He coached his kids' soccer teams and was an active member of the Rotary Club. He served as the President of Southeast Kansas Mental Health Association. He was a parishioner at the Church of the Resurrection. He loved Mexican food and tried to order tacos at any kind of restaurant he visited.

Following retirement in 2005, Bob and Sharon moved to Buena Vista, CO, where they lived for 15 years, enjoying the mountain life. They fished at Cottonwood Lake and camped at Grand Mesa. They took many flatland visitors up to Cottonwood Pass. Bob was an avid volunteer. He worked on countless projects with the Rotary Club, including the Fourth of July picnics and dictionary giveaways to schoolchildren. He built houses with Habitat for Humanity. Bob and Sharon were active parishioners of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and had many friends in the Game Trail community.

In 2020 they moved to Boise, ID, for the health benefits of its lower elevation and to be near extended family. He did not slow down much in his final years. A parishioner at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, he enjoyed ministries including sister-in-law Pat's exercise class and his small faith group. He cheered at his great-nephews' soccer games and discovered local fishing spots.

Last summer Bob and Sharon celebrated 62 years of marriage. Throughout his life Bob was devoted to Sharon, whom he still called "my bride". He helped his communities and by doing so, improved the world around him.

He was preceded in death by parents Jose and Carmen, sisters Matilda "Tillie" Peterson and LaNora Kirchmann.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, brothers J.D. (Joseph), Reuben, Jerome; sisters Carolyn Black and Christine Myers; daughters Christian (Jack Day), Kelly (Marlisa Wilson), Amy (Neil Miller) and son Jeff; grandchildren Jackson Day, Madison Day, Harrison Day, Emerson Day, Julia Martinez-Miller, Nelson Miller, many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be held on March 20, 2026, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N Meridian Rd, Meridian, ID 83646.

Services and Interment will be held at 1:00pm on March 28, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2750 Co Rd 27, Morse Bluff, NE 68648.

Memorials may be made in Bob's name to the Alzheimer's Association, ALZ.org, and Buena Vista St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Capital Campaign, PO Box 458 Buena Vista, CO 81211.