Richard Bruce Martin

Firth resident, Richard Bruce Martin, 75, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at The Life Care Center in Idaho Falls, due to complications of diabetes.

Funeral services were held at Nalder Funeral Home in Shelley with interment in the Firth Cemetery.

Richard was born on April 8, 1933 to Thomas Arthur and Sara Richards Martin in Sharon, Pennsylvania.  Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Brookfield, Ohio.  During his childhood, Richard enjoyed building and racing soapbox derby cars.  He was the first Eagle Scout in Troop 112.  He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1951. 

Music always had a very important role in his life.  His musical participation led to a lifetime of teaching in all musical areas. Richard and his family moved to Post Falls, Idaho in the spring of 1951.  He graduated from Post Falls High School in 1952.  Richard attended the University of Idaho-Moscow for three years.  During this time he sang first tenor with the Vandeleers for three years.  He was also a member of the Helldivers, a national swimming organization at the University of Idaho. Richard began his teaching career in Troy, Idaho in 1955. 

In the fall of 1958, he continued with his teaching profession when he moved to Firth, Idaho.  Here he met Connie Hubbard.  They were married on December 12, 1959.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. To this union were born five children:  Heidi, Todd, Valerie, Holly, and Troy.            

After teaching for seven years, Richard received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Idaho. He continued his teaching career in the following places:  Hagerman, Idaho; Declo, Idaho; Oakley, Idaho; Winterhaven, California; Roll, Arizona; Chiloquin, Oregon; Stewart, Nevada; and Parker, Arizona.  He touched the lives of his students with dedication, integrity, kindness, and gave them the lifetime gift of music.  Many awards and honors were won by his marching bands, concert bands, jazz bands, and choral groups. Richard also taught hundreds of private music students.            

Richard was a valiant member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served with vigor and enthusiasm in many ward and stake callings.  It was with great joy he accepted the call to be an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple.

His life and service can be described with the following quote by President Spencer W. Kimball, “My life is like my shoes—to be worn out in service”.  Richard’s life was the supreme example of love and devotion to one’s fellow man.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother and father. 

He is survived by his wife, Connie of Firth, Idaho; daughter Heidi (Will) Pickens of Gooding, Idaho; son, Todd Martin of Hawaii; daughter, Valerie (Scott) Nettgen of Belvidere, Illinois; daughter Holly (Dean) Martines of Gilbert, Arizona; and son, Troy (Lucrecia) Martin of Camp LeJune, North Carolina;  16 grandchildren:  SrA. Aaron (Amanda) Nettgen serving in Iraq, Jessica Pickens (Paul) Sebastian , Steven Nettgen, Ryan Alejandro, Tyler Pickens serving a full-time LDS mission in the Dominican Republic, Caitlin Pickens, Matthew Alejandro, Sean Martin, Keely Pickens, Jordan Nettgen, Krista Nettgen, Ryan Martin, Dean Martines, Maria Martin, Jason Nettgen, and Kaylee Martines, sister, Nancy Davies of Cleveland, North Carolina;  brother, Robert (Lorna) Martin of Cathedral City, California;  brother, Gerald (Lori) Martin of Beatty, Nevada; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard’s family wishes to thank the great kindnesses shown to him by the many men and women of the Dialysis Center of Idaho Falls, The Life Care Center of Idaho Falls, and the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Their love and support of Richard truly gave him an added measure of comfort during the last years of his life.

The children of Richard would like to express our sincere appreciation to our mother, Connie, for her many years of faithful care for our father. We know that our husband, father, grandfather, and brother is free from the pain of this present world.  He is now rejoicing with his parents and other family members.  He will be waiting to welcome us home, just as he did while he was on this earth.