Richard "Dick" Dale Martin was born December 23, 1937, and passed away on February 1, 2025, in Parkview Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. He was 87 years young. A native of Fort Wayne, he loved and was proud of his hometown. His interests included fishing, chess, pets, politics, gambling, and "medicinal" marijuana. Dick loved to travel and had even gone to Russia with his ex-wife, Darlene, to see her mother's county of origin. Dick was an excellent cook, and he loved to eat, although it seemed he ALWAYS claimed to be on a diet.

Richard was the fourth child of the union of Oscar Perry Martin and Vera Elemedia Hendricks. The couple met in high school and married after Oscar graduated in 1920. Oscar worked at General Electric, and Vera worked as a Stenographer. The year after they were married, the young couple had a daughter, Beverly Kathryn Martin. Six years later, Robert Wayne Martin, a son, came into this world, followed by James William. Oscar and Vera thought their family was complete; three years later, they were surprised by Richard Dale, another son.

The next two and a half years were a period of turmoil. Vera's diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer was a blow, and Beverly's decision to marry and leave for Chicago added to the challenges. Vera passed away the next month, and Oscar was left as a widower with a highly active 2-year-old son. Oscar knew he had to find Dick a mother.

Oscar was intrigued by a female coworker who worked in a different department. He discovered that Mary Bertsch was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church. She could not even look at him unless he was a member as well, so he began attending the Church so he could go on a chaperoned date. They were married in 1942, and Mary joined a readymade family, becoming the stepmother of three sons and a married daughter in Chicago aged from 4 to 20. Mary quit her job and became a stay-at-home mother. Mary was with child in two years, and Arlene Ruth was born in November. Joan Elaine was born the following year, Phillip Alan a year later, and Alice Louise was born in 1950.

The Martin Family moved from the Rudisill address in 1950 to fulfill Oscar's childhood dream of owning a hardware store. They lived in half of the building, and Martin Hardware was in the other half. Oscar still worked at GE; after coming home, he worked in the hardware until closing. Dick, now thirteen and very bright, also helped in the store.

To his parents' dismay, one Sunday, Dick stayed home from church, and they returned to discover that when Dick ran the store, he was also financing his own weekly "allowance." Another time, he "borrowed" the family car and wrecked it. As a result of his behavior, he went to live with his big brother Bob and family for a time. Bob said that Dick would leave home for school every day, but Elmhurst High School reported he rarely arrived there. At 17, Richard volunteered for the Navy, hoping it would prove more challenging to his brilliant young mind than high school had turned out to be. Little is known about Richard's Navy career; as he later described, he was on a secret mission in the Navy and could not talk about it. Records DO seem to be hard to locate.

Despite the challenges of a large family, Dick's later academic journey was a testament to his intelligence and determination. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Indiana University under the GI bill and was later accepted as a member of the Mensa Society.

Dick and Darlene Marilyn Spindler met at Indiana University as students. They were married in Gary, IN, in 1960. They later divorced, but that seemed to help heal their relationship, and they remained lifelong friends until Darlene passed in 2013. Kevin Douglas Martin, their only child, was born in Bloomington in 1964.

Surviving Dick are his son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Kathleen (Schweizer) Martin; his half-sisters, Arlene Kelly of Fort Wayne and Joan Truex of Warsaw; and his half-brother, Phil of Santa Fe, NM; many nieces and nephews: Patrick Burns, Ken Burns, Donald Martin, Paul Martin, Steve Martin, Deborah (Gerig) Martin, Kimberly (Pilot) Washington, Robin Pilot, Denise (Jones) Breen; as well as many close friends that he cherished as much as family.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Vera, Oscar, and Mary; his wife, Darlene; sister, Beverly Graham; brothers Robert and James; half-sister Alice; and nephews, Larry Burns and David Martin.

Dick's wishes were to be cremated and have no funeral. Near the end, he relented to a party in his honor at Henry's on Main (he could rarely turn down a party). Please join us in celebrating the memory of Richard Martin at his second home, Henry's Restaurant, 536 W Main St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, from 2 to 4 pm. This will celebrate his life, filled with warmth, joy, and cherished memories. There will be a cash bar, and appetizers provided. Afterward, from 4 to 6 pm, his family and closest friends will gather at his home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Southern Poverty Law, PBS, or ACLU.