Nov. 10, 1939-July 15, 2024
Bob passed away on July 15, 2024, at his home in St. George Utah, after a struggle with lung disease. The love of his life and constant companion of 43 years Deborah was at his side. Bob had a wonderful life, and he thanked the Lord daily for it.
Bob was a man with a view. A view he enjoyed from his backyard admiring Sun River landscapes/sunrises/sunsets, while drinking a cold beer (or two). He was born Nov. 10, 1939, to Armando and Dora Martinez, in Taos, New Mexico. The family moved to Utah in 1943. Bob had a happy childhood growing up in Deseret in Tooele County. He graduated from Tooele High School, class of 1958. After high school he enlisted in the U.S Navy and served on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington from 1958-62. He also served in the Reserves as a Sea Bee stationed at Fort Douglas, Utah.
He worked at Tooele Army Depot from 1965-78 before transferring to V Corps Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, and subsequently transferring to Heidelberg where he worked at HQ US Army Europe. His work enabled him to travel extensively throughout Europe. In 1985 he transferred to Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This assignment afforded him the opportunity to travel worldwide. He returned to TAD in 1988 as Chief of Work Measurement. In 1990 he transferred to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. This was his last assignment until he retired from federal service in 1995.
Bob loved the Lord and demonstrated that through his service to the church. While living in Sierra Vista, Arizona, he was active at St. Andrews the Apostle Catholic Church counting weekly collections and participating in church fundraisers. At St. George Catholic Church he also volunteered counting collections, working at the Thrift Store and the church Food Pantry.
He was preceded in death by his parents Armando and Dora Martinez, brother John Martinez and sister Louise Lamoreaux.
He married Teresa Leichtle in 1965 and had four daughters: Deborah, Lisa, Tina and Jennifer. He later married Deborah Christian, who was at his side for the rest of his life. Bob is survived by his loving and constant companion Deborah, daughters Deborah Martinez, Lisa Knapp (Mike), Tina Clark (Corey) and Jennifer Rasmussen; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, brother Pat Martinez (Gail), sisters Christine Hartung, Elaine Fischer and Carla Camp (Jan).
The family would like to thank the staff at St. George Regional Hospital and Dixie Hospice for their care and compassion.
A funeral mass will be conducted at St. George Catholic Church on Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m.
Arrangements are under the care of Pine View Mortuary, 435-986-4222. Click here to visit the Pine View Mortuary website for full obituary and funeral service listing.