George Conner Martin

1933 - 2023

George Conner Martin

George Conner Martin died peacefueacefully with his wife (Patty) and daughter (Pam) by his side on July 13, 2023. Born in San Francisco in 1933 and raised in the Bay area by his parents Henry and Doris Martin. As a youth growing up in Greenfield, he worked on vegetable farms and attended King City H.S. where he meets his future wife, Patty. George's leadership and athletic abilities were displayed as Freshman Class president, student council member, Student Body President, and a 4-year letter winner in Football and Track & Field. Upon H.S graduation, he headed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he competed in Cross Country and Track & Field. George and Patty married in 1953 while obtaining his degree in vegetable crops in 1955.
In 1955 George was drafted and selected to serve in the Marine Corp and attended Officer Candidate school in Quantico, Virginia. He served 3 years as 1st Lieutenant of the 5th Division, 1st Marine Division and became a father when son, Steve, and daughter (Pam) were born. Career opportunities were available, but George's goals led the family to Purdue University and obtain his master's in Horticulture and PhD in Plant Science.
His first horticulture job was at the USDA Field Station in Wenatchee, Washington working on pomological crops. In 1967 he accepted a position in the Pomology Department at the University of California at Davis as an Associate Professor and was made Professor in 1973.
At the University of California at Davis, George pursued his wide interests in science, history, and plant physiology and spent several years as a volunteer coach with the distance runners on the University's track team. His research led to the development of methods for hormone measurements in plant organs and field use of growth regulators for growth control in apple, peach, prune, pear, olive, and walnut. Although George was known statewide and internationally and published over 200 papers and reports, he felt his major contribution to the field was his time spent with his graduate students.
As an American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) member his activities included: President 1990; Fellow; Chair of numerous National Committees, Symposiums and Publications; Vice- President Research Division; Associate Editor; and organizer of 32 Symposia for the 1986 International SHS meeting. And he was the recipient of numerous ASHS awards including Research of the Year Award.
While living in Wenatchee, WA the family spent many weekends and vacations camping, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and shooting bows and arrows as a family. The family was also very activity in the local YMCA where they George and Patty taught classes; George was President of the Archery Club.
When the family moved to Davis, George began riding his bike to work rain, wind, or sunshine. George spent his noon hour running with other faculty and staff members and on weekend he could be seen all over the county riding one of his many touring bikes (not motorized). Weeklong rides were all over the mountains in California and Oregon. Patty even joined him on several bike trips but wised up and began joining as the sag wagon and joining dad in the evenings.
George and Patty became world and U.S. travelers and made lifetimes friends and associates In Italy, France, Israel, England, Wales, and Poland while attend international meetings, yearly ASHS meeting and sabbatical leaves. Three sabbatical leaves were spent at the University of Bristol, 1974-75, University of College of Wales, 1980-81, and Oregon State University, 1987-88.
Mom and dad loved to explore the National Parks, Lewis and Clark Trails, the 4 Corners, and numerous monuments. The Davis household was filled with visitors from all over the world, UCD distance runners, graduate students, faculty and staff and farm advisors all hosted by Patty.
After 28 years at UC Davis, George welcome in retirement by riding his bicycle from Davis to Corvallis, OR for his last ASHS meeting. Soon afterwards George and Patty relocated to Paradise, CA. and George pursued his interests in the world beyond science. He began reading in the areas of history, philosophy, religion, U.S Constitution and democracy (Democratic Republic), literature, and begin writing opinion papers.
George and Patty's quite lifestyle and beautiful home overlooking the Chico valley was tragically destroyed in the Paradise Fire in November 2018. They relocated in Humboldt County where George quickly made friends as numerous people regularly saw him walking on the Hammond trail, in Blue Lake, Fieldbrook, Trinidad and more recently along Sutter Rd. He always had a smile on his face and a good morning greeting as he continued his military cadence, upright posture toward a designated turn around point. And always donning a wide brim hat and a small black backpack.
George is survived by his wife of 70 years, Patty and their two children: Steve and his spouse, Katherine; and Pam. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Kirstyn and her wife, Holly; and Kyle and his partner, Sophie. He is also survived by his sister, Lynne Steele, neice, Jennifer Steele and cousin Taylor Steele and his wife, Kendall.
George was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Doris Martin. George's family would like to convey its sincere thanks and appreciation to Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during George's finals months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in George's name to Hospice of Humboldt. A Celebration of Life on September 16th, 2023.