Robert Martin

Robert (Bob) Martin of Atascadero passed away on Thursday, April 9, in Twin Cities Hospital. Bob was born in Fairmont Minnesota, March 15, 1923... living most of his life in California. He was married to his beloved wife Lorraine for 61 years who preceded him in passing by about 5 years. They made their home on the Central Coast for over 30 years, where they loved to have family and friends visit.

Growing up in Minnesota, Bob loved to fish and hunt as a boy. His annual fishing trips to Canada with his friends was something he looked forward to all year. He loved it very much.

He owned a large plumbing business for many years in the Los Angeles area, which he sold prior to his move to the central coast.

He loved going on long morning walks with his beloved dogs Mo and Andy, along with neighbors. He loved his cockatiel bird Pepper whom he taught to talk. He also liked telling friends of his distant relative, John Philip Sousa,the famous American band conductor and march king who was known for his American military and patriotic marches...Possibly why he loved going to local band concerts in Atascadero and Paso Robles.

Bob spent 20 plus years as a paid-call firefighter with Cal Fire/San Luis Obispo County Fire. He was one of the founding members of County Fire Company 40 stationed at the Parkhill Station outside of Santa Margarita. Company 40 was started in 1979. After about a year, it became operational in October, 1980. Bob was the busiest member of Company 40 and became the firefighter most of the professional staff at Station 40 relied on. His most memorable call was for a non-breathing infant. Bob was first on scene and repositioned the child's head to open his blocked airway and he started breathing again. He saved the child's life but Bob did not see himself as a hero. He was one of the most respected men in Company 40. Adding a little humor, and quoting a fellow firefighter and friend, J. Mitchell... "Riding code 3 with Bob driving made Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland feel like a walk in the park.".... Bob also owned a 1939 fire truck that he loved driving in parades with his friends and was proud of the many awards he won for it.

He and his wife Lorraine lived on their 80 acre ranch for over 20 years. Located off Hwy. 58, they built a home and enjoyed a small lake where Bob managed to get in a little fishing. Sadly they had to sell it when Lorraine's health issues forced them closer to town. Her passing is something Bob never got over.

Bob will be deeply missed by his loving family, daughters Jacquelyn Saner and Hesselyn Engle; grandsons Todd, Craig, and Paul Burdick, Cary Pierce, Maury and Darryl McClurg; granddaughter Roberta Painter and her family; great-grandsons Zack and Steven Painter and Robert Burdick. He is also survived by his loving sister Marvis Thorp; niece Pamela Myers and family, and Rhonda Wick and family; nephew Larry Miller and family; sister-in-law Vi Martin and her family.

He was preceded in passing by his brother George, his sister Patty Hynes, and his daughter, Jerrelyn McClurg.

Bob would want to send a very loving message to all his friends, neighbor friends, church friends and firefighter friends... Thank you for being there, I loved you all very much!

He will be sadly missed by all his many good friends and relatives. His service will be Saturday, April 25 at 11 AM at Faith Baptist Church, where he was a member. It is located at 9925 Morro Road, Atascadero, California 93422.