Robert Martin

With heavy hearts, we’re saddened that our friend, our family member, and a proud member of our community, Robert Martin, has passed away on the morning of April 12th, just a couple weeks past his 80th birthday. Robert was born March 30, 1938, in San Diego, California, the son of Harold and Eunice (Molina) Martin.

Robert had alot of attributes about him that really made him a unique individual. One being his personality. Robert was a very big hearted man and loved to see people happy. He enjoyed watching people succeed in life and he would always do whatever he could to help. He was a proud father of three daughters and always enjoyed keeping up with them as well as all of his grandchildren. Robert really loved animals. He loved playing with dogs and he enjoyed many cats that he had over the years. He loved wildlife and always watched and read National Geographic. He also had a special place in his heart for children and was always amused by watching them play or by the funny things that kids say. Robert was always very interesting to talk to and visit with because he had such a wide array of life experiences. From being born and raised in San Diego California…. to his numerous years he served in the United States Air Force…. all of the many states he’s lived in, such as California, Kansas, Utah, Delaware, and a few others. He even lived in Okinawa for a good while during his service in the Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force, Robert worked many years in the oil field, for companies such as Phillips 66 and Coastal. Robert retired as a production foreman about 16 years ago. During Roberts retired years, he enjoyed getting up early in the morning and watching the news and keeping up with his friends on Facebook. Robert loved serving his community and enjoyed being an active member of the Lion’s Club. He and Sonja enjoyed doing lawn and garden work as well as sometimes doing some shopping on weekends in Garden City or Amarillo. One of the things that Robert loved most in life, other than family, friends, and pets, was his country. Robert was a very patriotic man. His many years in the military and his active political duties afterwards really reflected that. He loved keeping up with current events in the world…. and always hoped for, and enjoyed seeing the United States prosper. One of the passions in life that Robert had was good food and good restaurants. He would patronize several restaurants in Guymon, Garden City, and Hugoton.

Survivors include his wife, Sonja Hammerschmidt; three daughters, Teresa Martin of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Cindy Arrigo and husband Phil of Bayonne, New Jersey, and Wincy Martin of Denver, Colorado; two step-sons, Travis Hammerschmidt and Seth Hammerschmidt and wife Ashley all of Elkhart; eight grandchildren, Zach Lee, P.J. Arrigo, Mike Arrigo, Chloe McCaffery, Alex McCaffery, Devan Hammerschmidt, Sunnie Hammerschmidt, Harlee Hammerschmidt; and great-grandchild, Emma Arrigo.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Pat Roemmich; and granddaughter, Justine.

Graveside service will be Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 10:00 AM at Elkhart Cemetery in Elkhart with military rites conducted by VFW Point Rock Post #3162 and Altus Air Force Honor Guard. Friends may call Tuesday, April 17, 2018, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with family present 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorials may be given to Elkhart Lion’s Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.