Fowler Ward Martin

RAdm Fowler Ward Martin, SC, USN (Ret.), 89, of Raleigh, died May 26, 2006 at his home.
When Fowler retired from the Navy in 1972, he chose North Carolina as his new home and greatly enjoyed spending summers at Lake Gaston.
Born and raised in Seattle, Fowler graduated from the University of Washington and joined the Navy Supply Corps. Prior to America's entry into World War II, he served on the battleship Californiaand the aircraft carrier Yorktown. Subsequently, during a tour as an instructor at the Navy Supply School in Boston, he met his future wife, Lois Riedel of Saint Paul, MN. After his marriage, he returned to sea duty in the Pacific theatre aboard Pocomoke, a seaplane tender. Fowler's post-war postings were all shore-based supply and financial assignments, including a tour of duty in Japan.
The Navy sent Fowler to the Stanford Business School where he secured an MBA. While discharging his Naval responsibilities, he also served as President of the Navy Federal Credit Union at the time when membership and benefits were first extended to enlisted personnel.
In his favorite job, commanding officer of the Defense Fuel Supply Center, Fowler oversaw the purchase and distribution of oil and coal for all four branches of the military as well as various civilian agencies. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
In Raleigh, Fowler was employed initially as a special assistant in North Carolina's state Division of Purchase and Contract Subsequently, at the request of Governor Holshouser, he became the state's "energy czar" in the wake of the 1972 Arab oil embargo and emerged as a familiar figure to manyNorth Carolinians as they wrestled with various energy emergency guidelines. Following that, Fowler was affiliated with NorthCarolina State University, first as special assistant for energy matters and later as a volunteer.
Activities in retirement included helping to establish Wake County's mediation service and serving as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau.
Fowler was preceded in death by his daughter and is survived by his wife of 63 years, a son, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A visitation will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Millbrook Rd., on Sunday, June 4, from 2:30-4 p.m.
Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Wake County or the Salvation Army.