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.
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