Martin H. Schwarzbach

Captain Martin H. Schwarzbach passed away Monday morning July 18 in Alamo, CA, just two months short of his 93rd birthday. He was born Sept. 18, 1918 in South Hampton, Long Island. His mother, Magna Heia from Christina, Norway and his Father Arthur Edward from Riga, Latvia resided there on an island near Montauk Bay with his older brother Arthur Heia.

Magna returned to Norway with her two sons when their father died in a work related accident on the island. Martin's brother stayed in Norway when he and his mother returned to the USA. His brother was later a prisoner in a Nazi internment camp until his escape and eventual relocation to California after WWII with his lovely wife Kari from Norway.

Martin joined the Navy at the age of 18 and sailed on the USS Tuscaloosa. A favorite story of his was one when his ship was shadowing a German ship in the Atlantic off the coast of South America in 1939. The German ship refused to be boarded by a British vessel after two warning shots were fired. The German Captain scuttled his ship and Martin's ship picked up the German survivors and sailed on to New York. There Martin stood at attention in his dress blues in line with his fellow sailors as the German Crew was escorted off the USS Tuscaloosa. The German captain walked past Martin just as a seagull flew over making a deposit on Martin's shoulder. The German captain stopped, smiled, and remarked to the young man, "that is a sign of good luck sailor."

Apparently, it was a good luck sign. Shortly thereafter, his ship was in Long Beach, CA where some coeds from UC Santa Barbara were taking a tour of the naval vessel. A young lady asked Martin, "how many people will that lifeboat hold?" and he answered, "I don't know miss". The UC art student, Lila, responded, "You don't know much do you sailor?" He followed Lila to her home near San Francisco and was soon wed. During WWII, Martin sailed for the Merchant Marine and carried troops and high-octane fuel to the front in Europe. Martin and Lila purchased their first home in Brook Lomond in 1945 for the sum of $4,500.

Martin and Lila raised their three sons, Martin, Eric and Dan, in Ben Lomond. Lila passed away in 1977 and Martin relocated to Sequim, WA, in 1985 where he resided in a log cabin overlooking the sea, until recently. His life was the sea, sailing for American President Lines for over 30 years where he became a master of all the seven seas, and sailed around the world more times than one can recall. He was a member of the Master, Mates and Pilots Union until he passed the final Barr.

Martin loved his wooden boats. After he sailed away from Moss Landing Yacht Harbor for the final time, he became well known on the bay in Sequim, WA, rowing his skiff out onto the Puget Sound from John Wayne Yacht Harbor on most every day.

The Captain is survived by two of his sons, Martin of Alamo, CA, and Dan of Ben Lomond, CA, plus 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial gathering at 370 Main St., Ben Lomond, Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM, July 30th, for his friends and family.