Robert Martin Jr.

On Wednesday, July 10th, 2013, the World lost one of the most beautiful, giving, tender hearted, mischievous, selfless, loving human beings that ever walked the Earth.

Robert “Rob” Martin Jr. took his last breath on a beautiful summer evening with frogs singing in the field just outside the window, the wind rustling the tall grass, and a brilliant star studded sky above - while surrounded by his family and years and years of love.

For most of his life, Robert spent his summers camping and fishing with his parents and sisters and nieces and nephews...making memories together, loving each other, laughing and telling stories around the campfire late at night, playing cribbage and poker to the light of a moth beaten lantern, laughing hysterically while hurriedly digging trenches around tents and tarps as the inevitable torrential downpour that plagued every camping trip descended upon the campsite, roasting “real” hot dogs over a fire, plucking juicy huckleberries from bushes that were previously used to camouflage a late night bathroom trip that didn’t quite make it to the outhouse, crunching cheesy Doritos and sipping full cans of Pepsi while his nieces and nephews grumbled about having to settle for the generic lemon-lime and “never tasted right” rootbeer “Kid pop” and waking to find that the raccoons had left footprints in the bacon grease that was forgotten on the little green propane cooking stove overnight.

He loved searching for the perfect piece of wood to carve and burn designs into and creating something even more beautiful and special just for you - something from his heart to yours. He would spend hours and days, meticulously burning designs into his wooden creations and he put his heart into each piece he made.

Robert spent years collecting old swords and dragons and tiny little trinkets that seemed to be just “Junk” to most. But he found beauty in them and found a special meaning for each of his treasures...but he did not just find the beauty in “Things” that he came upon - but also in the people that most thought were insignificant or useless - and he cared deeply for them. He befriended the “misfits” and he loved the “unlovable” and he made sure each and every one of them knew they were one of his favorite treasures.

He collected Tigers and Ninja movies and enjoyed painting and drawing and writing stories. He had an abundance of artistic talent inside of him...but unfortunately Robert was trapped in a body that would not allow him to fully express or explore everything that he wished to experience in this lifetime.

He loved to sneak up on you and stick his finger in your ear, laugh at the full body shiver it produced or your startled reaction and as you would turn toward him to shoo him away. Your grumpy eyebrows immediately melted away when you met the twinkling, mischievous, loving eyes of Robert and his giant grin and open arms waiting for a bear hug.

Robert was an animal lover and over the years had many pets that he loved until they had to say their own goodbyes. He always seemed to pick the animals that were misfits too and he put his whole heart into loving each and every one of them.

Over the past few years, Robert struggled with chronic pain and fought to regain his strength and mobility and was working so very hard to get himself out of the house and push through the ache so that he could get out and enjoy life again. Then suddenly he was gone...and the world is a little less beautiful.

Robert is preceded in death by his sisters Ielene Martin, Roberta Garner, Kathy Arnott and Toni Howard.

He is survived by his parents: Robert Sr and Willa Martin - Sisters: Chris Murrillo and Cindy Feld - Nephews: Shawn Olson, Kurt Hall, Brian Bingham and Billy Garner - Nieces: Marlena Adriance-Exner, Shannon Currier, Kelly Hall, Missie Kelly, Holly Holt and Jennifer Owen and numerous great nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his cat “Rotten Cotton” which he lovingly named because he found joy in her ornery nature and her soft fur.

There will be no formal public memorial service for Robert. A small family gathering and picnic will take place in August at his favorite campground - where they will share a meal, favorite memories and spread some of his ashes. The remaining ashes will be buried alongside his sisters at Greenacres Cemetery in Ferndale WA.

In lieu of flowers - donations may be made in remembrance of Robert, to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation who helped ensure that his family was able to keep their promise to him make sure he would be somewhere that felt like “Home” when he left them.

Donations can be sent here: Whatcom Hospice Foundation 2901 Squalicum Parkway Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 733-1231