Norman C. Martin

Jan. 24, 1933 — Feb. 21, 2017

On Feb. 21, 2017, Lt. Cmdr. Norman C. "Norm" Martin U.S. Navy (Ret.) slipped his earthly mooring and sailed into the loving arms of the everlasting Father.

He was born Jan. 24, 1933, in St. Paul, Kansas. He was the seventh child of eight born to Caroline and Jesse Martin. Early in life the family moved to Livingston, Montana, where the father worked first as a farmer then as an employee of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Upon completion of high school, Norm enlisted in the Navy. He climbed steadily through the enlisted ranks until he became a senior chief petty officer. In 1965 he was commissioned an ensign. He served on eight different ships until his retirement in 1978, with the rank of lieutenant commander. His last assignment was as chief engineer of the USS Kansas City, a 38,000-ton oiler/replenishment vessel.

In 1957 he married Carole Haaland of Bozeman, Montana. The couple had two children, Steven and Karen. In 1978 they moved to a small acreage south of Corvallis where Carole could have her beloved horses. During this period Norm worked at the Evanite Corp. until his retirement. Sadly in 1988, after 31 years of marriage, Carole died leaving a great void. Shortly thereafter Norm moved to Albany where he took up bowling, becoming one of the better senior bowlers in the area.

After a period of time he met Joyce Martin. The couple married in 2000; she pre-deceased him in 2006.

He is survived by his sister, Montez Melech of Helena, Montana; son Steve of Philomath; daughter Karen of Las Vegas, Nevada; three granddaughters, one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson.

Fair winds and following seas, Lt. Cmdr. Martin.