WWII Veteran & Episcopal Priest The Very Reverend Robert C. Martin, Jr., of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, formerly of Norwalk and Cos Cob, Conn., died Tuesday, January 11, 2011, five days shy of his ninetieth birthday. Ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church in 1951, Father Martin retired in 1986 as the dean of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, Erie, PA. His ministry also included service as rector of St. Luke's, Marietta (OH) and first vicar of St. Christopher's, Fairborn (OH) during the 1950's and rector of Christ Church, Meadville (PA) in the early 1970's. From 1960 - 1972, he served on the Presiding Bishop's staff of the Episcopal Church in CT and New York City during the tenures of the Most Reverends Arthur Lichtenberger and John Hines. He also served as supply and interim priest for several parishes in CT, including Grace Church and St. Paul's on the Green, both in Norwalk. In his retirement, he ministered to several parishes in Ohio and Pennsylvania as interim priest and continued to support St. Paul's on the Green as member and frequent visitor. Father Martin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 16, 1921, the son of the late Robert C. Martin, Sr. and Gertrude Smisek Martin. He graduated from Glenville High School, Cleveland and Harvard College, cum laude, class of 1943. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps with the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, as a B-24 pilot. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals, among other military awards. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years, Louise Elizabeth Stadler Martin. He is survived by his children: Robert C. Martin, III (Merete Staubo Martin), of Mount Pleasant, MI; Janet Martin Lewis (Scott J. Lewis) of Reynoldsburg, OH, Anne Martin Watkins (Gilbert K. Watkins) of Norwalk, CT; grandchildren: Gregory Watkins, Daniel Lewis (Andi Preest), Sarah Watkins Domina (Brian Domina), John Lewis (Elise Saddler Lewis), and Geoffrey Watkins; and one great-grandchild, Lucas Domina. Funeral services were held on January 14, 2011 in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Pickerington, OH. The Reverend Paul B. Williams officiated. Interment will follow at Mound Cemetery, Marietta, OH at a later date. Choral Evensong will be offered at St. Paul's on The Green, 60 East Avenue, Norwalk in memory of Father Martin on April 3, 2011 at 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul's on the Green, Norwalk, CT or St. Andrew's, Pickerington, OH. You may leave a condolence by utilizing the "Guest Book" on this page.
To order
memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of The Very Reverend Robert C. Martin, Jr., please visit our
flower store.
