Richard A. Martens

Richard A. Martens, D.D.S. Richard Allen Martens died December 12, 2016 in McMinnville, Oregon. He was born April 3, 1932 in Kalamazoo Township, Michigan, to Harold and Cora DeYoung Martens. Dick attended South Westnedge School and the Leggett School in rural Kalamazoo County. He was graduated from Athens Agricultural Schools and was the valedictorian for the class of 1950. After high school he worked as an orderly at the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital. He enlisted in the US Army in 1952. He served in the Korean Conflict as an Operations & Intelligence Specialist in 61 st Field Artillery Battalion of the First Cavalry. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1955. Dick attended Central Michigan University and received a bachelor's degree in biology. He worked at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart for a few years. Dick furthered his education at the Indiana University Dental School. He practiced dentistry in Washington, Indiana, from 1967 to 1980. Dick continued to practice dentistry at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. He spent his retirement years in Oak Island, NC, and McMinnville, OR. He was a life member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by a brother, Ronald Martens of Fulton and Shelbyville; a sister, Shirley Martens, of Carlton, Oregon; three nephews: Jonathan Wheeling, Alan and Nathan Martens; two nieces: Dianne Wheeling and Camille Martens Subject. Graveside services will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Friday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m. (Please assemble at 1:10 p.m.) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Athens Community Foundation, Athens VFW Post 5319 or the Climax Scotts American Legion Post 465. The Avink Funeral Home Cremation Society coordinated local arrangements.