ROBERT MARTZ

October 1, 1917 - April 10, 2009. Robert R. Martz, beloved husband of Helen and father of Joan Martz Schumaker and Janet Martz Ketover. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1917 to Clyde and Elizabeth Martz. He attended schools in Lincoln and went to the University of Nebraska. He was a member of various fraternities, including Phi Betta Kappa, and additionally was nominated for the Rhodes Scholarship. He continued on to Columbia University where he received his Masters in Business. Upon graduation he joined General Electric in Schenectady, serving in their financial division. When World War II broke out he enlisted in the Air Force and served as a cryptographer in Cairo and Baghdad. He developed many strong friendships in Baghdad that carried over after the war. Along with these friends he started up an Import-Export business in New York City. He eventually rejoined General Electric, in their International Division, and he was transferred to Buenos Aires as treasurer of their subsidiary company. In 1952, while on home leave, he married Helen Hemphill in Sioux City, Iowa. They had two daughters, Joan and Janet. Robert and his growing family spent many happy years in Buenos Aires, where he eventually served as liaison for International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) in South America. The political turmoil of the early 1970s factored in the Martz family move to the Denver area in 1971. A devoted family man, he was happiest sharing his extensive experiences with those closest to him. Additionally, he was an avid reader, distance swimmer, enthusiastic gardener and nature lover. He enjoyed traveling and in the course of his long life visited all corners of the world including the Far East , Africa , Europe and South America. Martz continued to be active well into his 80's, traveling to reunions throughout the U.S. and accompanying wife, Helen, in her various activities. He is survived by his wife, Helen. Daughters, Joan of Greeley, Colorado and her husband Scott Schumaker; and, Janet of Naples, Florida and Costa Rica and her husband Philip Ketover; grandchildren, Michael Bosma and wife Jen of Boulder, Colorado, Jennifer Bosma of San Diego and her fiance Sean Keating, Fame Ketover, wife Ruth; and great grandson Jacobi-Wan of Naples and Costa Rica, Rheannon Ketover of Naples and Costa Rica, Ryan and Megan Schumaker of Denver; brother Clyde Martz, nephew and niece Rob and Nancy Martz and their families of Albuquerque , New Mexico