Robert Charles Martz

1937 - 2025

Robert Charles Martz was born on the 1st of April 1937 in South Chicago, IL and passed away on November 6, 2025, at his home in Palisade, MN after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He married Patricia Allison, also of Chicago, in 1958.

Robert is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Charles (Suzanne) Martz of Apple Valley MN and Paul Martz of Palisade MN, and daughter Gloria (Daniel) Curtiss of Palisade MN, sister Christine Frawley of Thompson Station TN, along with his 21 grandchildren: Joni (Todd) Preuss of Florida, Tiffany Martz (Zachary Malchow) of Apple Valley MN, Austin (Ashlyn) Bowyer of St Paul MN, Brittany (Mark) Dodson of Granite Bay CA, Jacob (Aundie) Curtiss of Dillworth MN, Ameilia Curtiss of St Paul MN, Caroline Sterling of North Carolina, Genarro Montano (Megan Broeckel) of Lake Elmo MN, Lena (Ryan) Broeckel of Palisade MN, Anjelica Montano (Chandler Smith) of Sacramento CA, Joshua Martz of Monticello MN, Rachel (Thomas) Coyle of Norfolk VA, Caleb Curtiss of Eau Claire WI, David (Ella) Curtiss of Merrifield MN, Sarah (Ryan) Spry of St. Paul MN, Naomi (Ben) Kettner of Nicollet MN, Jonathon (Brittany) Nelson of Bloomington MN, Christopher (Kelsey) Martz of Germantown MN, Matthew Martz of Eden Prairie MN, Timothy Martz of Eden Prairie MN, Charissa Martz of Ames IA and his 23 great grandchildren: Allison Preuss, Tinsley Bowyer, Etta Bowyer, Leisel Bowyer, Sonja Bowyer, Hallie Dodson, Lillian Dodson, Kaeleigh Dodson, Easton Curtiss, Callen Curtiss, Henry Sterling, Sierra Sterling, Conway Sterling, Bentley Broeckel, Melanie Broeckel, Joseph Broeckel, Violet Curtiss, Samantha Kettner, Jaxon Kettner, Ryder Kettner, Oakley Nelson, Holden Nelson, and Daisy Nelson. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and son Robert T. (Julie) Martz.

Robert had a 22 year Naval career in Cryptology, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. He subsequently moved his family to Palisade, MN where he sold Real Estate and Automobiles. In 1979, he moved his family to Silicon Valley, CA, where he was employed by Ford Aerospace and later Electromagnetic Systems Laboratory (a division of TRW), as an Assembly Language Computer Programmer, Software Technical Writer and Configuration Manager.

He served as an Elder in churches in Morgan Hill, CA and later in Duluth, MN. He also served as a telephone counselor for the Billy Graham televised crusades, and as a Missionary Team leader in Illinois and later in Milan, Italy with International Teams. As an ordained minister, he founded Remnant Ministries and taught in various churches in MN and Mexico.

Returning to Palisade in 1986, he was a dispatcher for the Aitkin County Sherriff's Department. He was elected and served many years as a Township Supervisor and Chairman of Waukenabo Township. He also has served as a DNR Fire Warden for many years.

Robert will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with full Military Honors, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN.

Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin. To leave a message of condolence go to www.srtfuneral.com

In Lieu of flowers Robert's wish is for donations to be made to his favorite charities: Pacific Garden Mission, 1458 S. Canal St, Chicago IL 60607 or Disabled American Veterans PO Box 14301 Cincinnati OH 45250