Robert “Bob” Frederick Martin of Sugar Land, Texas, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the age of 87. Bob was born in Troy, New York, on March 6, 1937, and grew up in Pawling, New York, where he graduated from Trinity-Pawling School. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned a Certificate of Qualification in Clinical Chemistry from the American Board of Clinical Chemistry and was a Fellow with the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry.
Bob met his wife, Sydney, in New Orleans on a blind date and they married three months later on March 26, 1960. Bob and Sydney lived in New Orleans where they had their first two children, Stacey (1962) and Curtis (1967). They moved to Pasadena, California, where Bob completed his postdoctoral work at California Institute of Technology before moving to Poughkeepsie, New York, where they had their third child, Hillary (1970) while Bob was a chemistry professor at Vassar College. In 1972, they moved their family to Missouri City, Texas, where Bob worked for Baylor College of Medicine. In 1982, they moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where he formed MarChem Associates. After Sydney retired, they moved back to Missouri City, Texas, where Bob continued his work as a consultant with MarChem Associates.
Bob was passionate about golf, baseball and horses. He also enjoyed ballroom dancing. He served as a Little League umpire for many years and his favorite team was the Houston Astros. He loved watching his daughter and granddaughters ride their horses and compete in horse shows. Bob became a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Sudbury on Easter Sunday. A bittersweet, full-circle moment that the anniversary of the day he publicly declared his faith is when he was called Home.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Dawson Martin and Mary Margaret Agnes Coiteux Martin; his sister Judy Giggey; his wife of fifty years, Sydney Stark Martin; and his son, Curtis Martin. He is survived by his sister Carol VanCoughnett; daughters, Stacey Blankenship and her husband Dan of Sugar Land, Texas, and Hillary Wainwright and her husband Mark of Nashua, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Hannah Blankenship, Karis Blankenship, Seth Blankenship, Travis Martin and Crissa Wainwright; and great-grandchildren Jayden Bedard and Vincent Martin.
Bob was a true gentleman and will be missed by his family and his many friends.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM in Pawling Cemetery.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Horn & Thomes, Inc Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling, NY.
