Martin L. Byrd Jr.

Martin died at home on March 3, 2011. He had long suffered the ravages of diabetes and kidney disease. Martin was born in San Diego on December 15, 1951. The family moved to Redding when he was 8 year old; there he grew up with a large and loving extended family. Grandpa Ted taught Martin to drive, ride, shoot, fish, eat; and Martin passed those lessons on to family and friends. After attending Redding Adventist Academy, Martin finished high school at Rio Lindo Academy where he met Connie Wolfsen, who later became his wife of 35 years. U.C. Berkeley was his next stop and though he loved college, the economics of the time interfered with completing his degree. A life long passion for cars led him to a career as auto mechanic and eventually to owning his own shop and gas station in Oakland. Martin bought a race car and began SCCA road racing. He was owner and chief mechanic while his cousin, Leo, drove. There were many who contributed in both large and small ways to the fun and success of Byrd's Auto Racing. The team set several track records and won a couple of division championships. Over the years the circle of friends grew to encompass good food, fine wine, beer making and many wonderful conversations - "truly shaping how all our lives evolved." The gas station was sold in 1990 and Martin embarked on a new career at Stanford Linear Accelerator. Working at SLAC (thank you Jack) he used his knowledge, skills, and design sensibilities as liaison between engineering and manufacturing. He then worked at Lawrence Livermore Lab on the NIF project (laser-photon science) before taking medical retirement in 2000. His last years were spent in Humboldt County where Connie teaches nursing at College of the Redwoods. A memorial service for family and friends will be held in Oakland on April 9 at St. John's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Food for People or to your favorite charity. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.