Dear Bethany Community,
We are saddened to share the passing of friend and benefactor Robert Lee Martin, 98, of Elmhurst, Wheeling, WV, on Friday, February 6, in Wheeling.
He was born on September 15, 1916, in Minersville, Ohio, the son of the late Albert Henry Martin and Zona Gress Martin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Austin Martin.
Surviving are a cousin, Linda Baxter Nickerson of Wellsburg, WV, his Elmhurst family of friends and staff, and special friends Dee and Chuck Monfradi.
Bob was a 1936 graduate of Warwood High School. He earned a B.A. degree from Bethany College, class of 1940, and a B.S.L.S. from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Bethany College in 1990. Other honors include the Stifel Prize, National Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu, and Phi Delta Kappa.
Bob was a veteran of World War II. In his professional career, he was for twenty-five years the Chief of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories Sci-Tech Information Division in Natick, Mass.
Bob’s love for and devotion to Bethany College are well known. He was a great benefactor and lifelong donor to Bethany College, including restoration of the Academic Parlour, exterior lighting of the entire Old Main, and brick walkways at Old Main, as well as being a significant donor and motivating force for the Alumni Center, plus many other projects on campus. Bob also funded the endowment for the Robert L. Martin Chair in English Literature.
Bob was an avid collector of antiques and collectibles, often frequenting antique auctions and sales in the Wheeling area.
Friends will be received Tuesday, February 10, at Kepner Funeral Home, National Road, Wheeling, WV, from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Sarah Webb officiating.
Burial will follow at the Campbell Cemetery in Bethany at a future time.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany College, c/o Office of Institutional Advancement, Bethany College, 31 East Campus Drive, Bethany, WV 26032-3002, or Elmhurst, House of Friendship, 1228 National Road, Wheeling, WV, 26003.
