Benjamin Robert Martin III

Benjamin Martin Obituary

Benjamin Robert Martin III, age 67, died in an automobile accident near Ensenada, Mexico on June 23, 2011. Ben spent his childhood in Los Angeles. He attended Harvard School in Los Angeles graduating with honors in 1961. Upon graduation he received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and later served on active duty with the Air Force. He received a Bachelor's of Science in Physics from the University of Arizona in 1966, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Mount St Mary's College in Los Angeles in 1975. In 1982 Ben moved to northern California with his wife Terri, and in 1987 began working at the state of California Procurement Division. He retired in September 2010 as Engineering Branch Manager at the Department of General Services. Ben was a pilot and flight instructor holding Single and Multi-Engine, Land and Sea Airplane ratings, and Rotorcraft Helicopter and Gyrocopter ratings. He was an avid scuba diver and loved his boat, "Necessity". He is survived by his former wife, and dear friend, Terri Lynn Richards, his Aunt, Joan Johnson Harris, his first cousins, Joan Ellen Harris Burgett, Christine Harris Huff, Nancy Harris Wilken, and many more cousins. Ben will be remembered for his sharp intelligence, his strong work ethic, his lack of pretension, his quick wit, and love for his country. Although Ben had no children of his own, he loved being with his extended family, and enjoyed celebrating holidays and special occasions with them whenever he could. He will be dearly missed. A memorial will be held to celebrate Ben's life at 11:00 am on Monday, August 15, 2011 at Sun Hills Community Church, 1001 Suncast Lane, in El Dorado Hills, CA (www.sunhills.org) Services August 15 2011 11AM

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Published by Sacramento Bee on Aug. 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Martin

4 Entries

Ed Johnson

December 24, 2021

I just wondered was this the same Ben Martin who taught flight school at Grant High School around 1976 and had a job at the Van Nuys airport

March 1, 2012

Ben was a first cousin. I knew him when he used to come East to his uncle's farm in East Hartland, conn. in the summers of the 50's. I remember him then as a brash young kid who always praised California, but never knew his father who had died in WWII. I only kept in touch with him a few times by phone in the years before his death. He really appreciated the kindness he found among those attending the new WWII Memorial in Washington about 2003 and his rekindled interest in the war because of the new memorial to his father's generation. His mother, Janet, is buried next to his father, Ben, at Arlington National Cemetary here. Dan Wemhoff, son of Anne Martin, Ben's aunt.

Jim Mayfield

August 15, 2011

Learning of Ben's passing is such a complete shock. I immediately began reminiscing about the years of working with Ben at Dimetrics, beginning in Sepulveda and later when the company moved to Diamond Springs. We shared many days flying together in our company plane back and forth from So. California and to power plants in the South and Midwest. Ben had an amazingly calm demeanor. I remember learning to fly and Ben wanting to see my progress. After extremely porpoising a landing at Sac Executive, Ben calmly waited until recovering from whiplash to tell me in this quiet Ben-like manner, to never push the yoke forward while flaring to land, a reminder that has always stayed with me. Ben was academically accomplished and extremely capable with practicality. He was also a kind man....and, will be missed.

Tom Abeyta

August 14, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Martin family. Ben was a true professional that represented the people of the State of California in an exceptional and professional manner. He applyied years of engineering knowledge, dedication, and common sense to the engineering and procurement processes. When an organization is constantly reevaluating and recalibrating its tactical and strategic position in state government, it is the people like Ben that provided organizational stability and consistency with enough government knowledge to maintain the day-to-day operations. I was fortunate to have worked with Ben on many procurement efforts during my 17 years with the Department of General Services, Procurement Division.

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