Robert Martin

Bob Martin was a loving husband, devoted father, and cherished grandfather. Good-natured and incredibly selfless, he leaves behind a rich legacy of accepting all people with compassion. His warm memories and loving ways will be deeply cherished by all who knew and loved him.

1931 saw crippling effects on the nation’s economy. Car manufacturers went out of business as people did not have the funds to purchase them. The severe drought that hit the Midwest caused food to be scarce and turned some areas into dust bowls. Robert John was born to loving parents in mid-summer in the small town of Allen, Michigan. His birth was a shining moment during tough economic times.

His earliest childhood memories were lived out on the family farm. His father also held a job for the county road commission, so Bob and his brothers were used to pitching in around the farm doing chores. He remembered the intense labor of those years, especially moving the heavy field stones. Bob attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade before transferring to Hillsdale High School. A highlight of those years was his graduating class being featured in a Life Magazine story. Buffalo Bible Institute in New York was the setting for his college years. In addition to his degree, he met the love of his life, Amy, who was also a student there. The happy couple joined in marriage on June 19, 1954. After he graduated, they moved to Winona Lake, Indiana, so Bob could earn his M.Div at Grace Theological Seminary. While in seminary, Bob and some classmates started the Fellowship Baptist Church in Warsaw. Ambitious and never one to remain idle, he also worked in the seasonal bookstore for Zondervan Publishing before he was offered a full-time job in Grand Rapids. His position with Baker Book House was in wholesale sales where he remained for a remarkable thirty years. Bob managed accounts and enjoyed traveling throughout the Midwest.

Together Bob and Amy raised two wonderful children, Michele and Mike. He and Amy modeled a beautiful life of love for their children. They always made decisions as a team and stuck together in both the good times and the bad. Bob’s work kept him away from his family during the week, but he would always call on Wednesday nights before church and often surprise them by returning home earlier than expected. Bob was a fun-loving dad who taught his children to approach everything in life with ease. The family enjoyed attending a game at the Big House each year to watch U of M football. Family time also included camping with church friends and the annual bookseller's convention. Whenever they went camping, Bob enjoyed stoking the fire and making his special pot of beans. As a family, they were active members at Highland Hills Baptist where Bob served as an elder, adult Sunday School teacher, and college-age fellowship leader. A spiritual person, Bob was a man of the Word. He was proud to have memorized the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119. All in all, his family was always his top priority.

In addition to his family and work life, Bob enjoyed landscaping. He loved tending to his yard in Alpine Estates on Texas NW. Later in life, he took up running as a hobby and completed the River Bank Run 25K and Mackinaw Island Run as well as other events. He also enjoyed playing billiards with his good friend, Ed Mol. As much as he enjoyed his fatherhood years, being a grandfather meant the world to him. Bob savored attending their special events and games and encouraging them with his endless wisdom. A man of great integrity and a positive outlook on life, Bob lived his life to the fullest. He will be deeply missed. May the treasured memories he shared stay forever in the hearts of his loved ones and may they find great comfort in knowing they were loved beyond measure.

Robert John Martin, age 92, of Grand Rapids, entered his eternal home on March 27, 2024, and is now rejoicing with his Lord and Savior. Bob was born July 21, 1931, in Allen, MI to the late Erwin and Vera (Bates) Martin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Amy; sister, Esther VanDam; and brother, Daryl Martin. Bob is survived by his children, Michele & RC Shoun III, Michael & Barbara Martin; grandchildren, Micah Martin, and Jacob (Tayler) Martin, their son, Jonah, and Lydia (Nathan) DeVries. He is also survived by his brothers, Luren (Ardath) Martin, and Al (Janice) Martin; sister-in-law, Janet Martin; and several nieces and nephews.

A service to remember and celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, at 11 AM at Highland Hills Baptist Church, 1415 Northrup NW. Friends may visit with his family on Saturday from 5-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and beginning at 10 AM Monday at church. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Edison Christian Health Center Benevolence Fund are appreciated, in recognition of the wonderful care he received. To share a memory or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com