Robert Eugene Martin

Adored by his loving family, Robert Eugene Martin, well known as “Bob,” passed away Sep 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 71years, Donnie Jean Hudspeth Martin, and children Robert E. Martin, Jr., his wife Jane of Las Vegas, NV; Anne M. Fletcher of St. Augustine, FL; and Steven J. Martin of Las Cruces, NM; grandchildren Christopher Martin (Michelle) of Palmdale, CA; Dustin Martin (Katherine) of Royce City, TX; and Kelina Trier (Richard) of Lancaster, CA; Michael Fletcher of St. Augustine, FL; Jaron and Nizhoni Martin of Las Cruces, NM; great-grandchildren Connor, Reagan, Max, and Mackenzie Martin, Charlotte, Locke, Gwen, and Penelope Martin, and Lilian Trier. He is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by parents William Walton Martin and Doris Eugenia Martin, brother W. W. Martin Jr., and sister Betty Lambert. Bob was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi on August 21, 1929. After High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950, later graduating as Air Cadet in the newly formed Army Air Corps in May 1951. He trained to fly the F-80C Shooting Star fighter at Nellis AFB, NV. Later, while stationed in Arizona, he met his future wife Donnie Hudspeth at a dance at Williams AFB outside Phoenix. He married Donnie on July 22, 1951, and after a 2-week honeymoon, Bob was deployed to the Philippines and then on to Suwon, Korea, where he completed 37 missions before his plane was shot down over North Korea on February 6, 1952.

He was a prisoner of war for 19 months and was repatriated back to the United States in Operation Big Switch of August 1953, on the last day of the prisoner exchange. During his service, he was awarded the rank of First Lieutenant, as well as the Korean Service Medal, Air Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Bob used his G.I. Bill to obtain a degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. He and Donnie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1957 where they lived until January, 2022. He had a 34 year career there with Sandia National Laboratories.

They were active members of St. John’s United Methodist Church, and enjoyed a wide circle of close friends. During this time, Bob enjoyed many outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, and skeet shooting. While on temporary assignment to Greensboro, North Carolina, with the family, he purchased a ski boat, followed by a larger one when the family returned to Albuquerque. They spent many summers at Elephant Butte Lake, where they owned a mobile home, water skiing well into their sixties, and teaching their grandchildren how to ski as well.

Bob and Donnie traveled all over the U.S. with their children, including an unforgettable trip to Anchorage Alaska on the famous AlCan Highway before it was paved. After retirement, he and Donnie traveled literally all over the world - to Australia, China, Europe, Africa, South America and India. Bob enjoyed weekly bridge parties with friends, and served as president of the Sandia Thunderbird retirees, and was active in Toastmasters.

He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. At his request, there will be no local funeral services. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Martin family.