Robert Carl "Bob" Martin

Robert Carl "Bob" Martin Bob Martin, of Huntersville, North Carolina, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 with his loving wife, Alice, by his side. Born May, 23, 1949 in Canton, Ohio, Bob was the son of Cordie Martin and the late Harold Martin. He attended Lincoln High School and Akron University and then entered into a successful career of manufacturing engineering, where he loyally and faithfully worked for 30 years. Bob's greatest pleasures were the simple things in life, and he loved nothing more than time with his family and friends. Bob's favorite place in the world was anywhere, as long as he was with the lights of his life: his adoring wife, Alice, and his youngest daughter, Carly, whom he always referred to as "his girls." Whether exploring the mountains of Georgia, mining in Boone and Blowing Rock for gemstones, scouring the internet for arrowheads, or visiting obscure places to find unique vases and urns, Bob happily searched endlessly for anything "his girls" found interesting. Bob was a loyal Cleveland Browns fan, despite how painful watching them could be. Bob was an avid craftsman who could create, build, and fix just about anything; his daughter's friends fondly referred to him as "Bob the Builder." For Christmas last year, Carly wanted to make something special for friends and family, so Bob helped her to carve beautiful wooden spoons from a simple piece of wood. Bob became a devoted historian and genealogist, researching and studying historical information highlighting anything that would provide Carly, Alice, and any of his family and friends valuable imformation about their heritage. Surrounded by family and friends, typically over good food and drinks, Bob enjoyed sharing his most recent discoveries and their significances. His knowledge was immense, and his stories were fascinating. In addition to all of his activities, Bob was completely devoted to his family and friends who loved and cherished him deeply. Bob leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of what would have been 14 years this October 3rd, Alice Porter Martin of Huntersville; daughter, Carly Jeanne Martin of Huntersville, NC; son, Matthew Jennings Martin of Navarre, Ohio; daughter, Lee Ann Reich and her husband, Scott, of Canton, Ohio; mother and stepfather, Cordie Martin Taylor and Raymond Taylor of Canton, Ohio; siblings John Martin of Canton, Ohio and Joan Rhodes of Alliance, Ohio; sisters-in-law Nancy Gard, Lorri Hagwood, Ellen Videtta, Teppe Popovich, and brother-in-law Jim Porter and their families; and father-and-mother-in-law William and Elizabeth Porter of Vero Beach, Florida. Bob was the beloved patriarch of a large family encompassing 6 grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He will be remembered fondly for the years of love and laughter shared by all who knew him. Bob had the incredible ability to make and keep true friends, none of whom ever felt anything less than a part of his extended family. Bob was a tremendously dedicated and devoted husband, father, and friend, and he will be missed for his deep love and generosity for family and friends, joy for life, delightfully irreverent sense of humor, and for the courage he demonstrated in the battles he faced in life's hardships. Bob captivated people of all ages with his strength, wit, and quiet determination to fully live life each day. The joy that Bob brought to others is simply immeasurable, as is the degree to which he will be missed. In this time of great sorrow, the family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the care, concern, prayers, and love of so many good people who have touched their lives. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home chapel, and the family will receive friends immediately following the service in the visitation parlor at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be given to the American Heart Association. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com.