LTC Daniel Martin
May 10, 1946 – July 4, 2018
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On
the afternoon of July 4, 2018, Dan passed from this earth as a result of a
short battle with cancer, his loving wife by his side. He left us knowing he
had done everything he ever wanted to do in his life. Dan was 72 years old. Born
to Lawrence and Thelma (Angle) Martin on May 10, 1946, in Kingman, Kansas, he
was the eldest of three children. On
September 2, 1982 Dan married Sharon White Eyes. From this union are two
children, Robert and Sara. Dan and Sharon divorced in 1996. On
November 29, 2007 Dan married Linda Hiltabrand. From this union, Dan has two stepdaughters,
Tina and Jennifer Growing
up in Evergreen, Colorado and always looking for fun, it was said if Danny
didn’t think of it, it wasn’t worth doing – leading to numerous frustrations
for his mother. Family reunions are filled with anecdotes of fun times spent
with Dan. Siblings continue to question the sanity of his mother for allowing
beer to be brewed in his bedroom as a teenager – ultimately “smelling up the
whole house”. Even
in his earliest days he had a passion for guns. It became a hobby and many
friends and acquaintances looked to Dan for advice when seeking appropriate
loads and purchases of the trade. Dan
attended two years of college at Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. Tired
of being a “starving college student”, he volunteered for the draft and
enlisted in the Army. After basic training, he was offered the opportunity to
train as a helicopter pilot. Flying helicopters became his second passion.
Dan served a year in Vietnam. After returning, he was assigned as a flight
instructor at Fort Rucker. When given the opportunity, he continued to
re-enlist in the Army proudly serving his beloved country for 22 years. Two
years of his Army career were spent attending college at Colorado State
University in Fort Collins Colorado receiving his BA in Psychology. During
his Army career, Dan received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal,
Presidential Unit Citation Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal-4, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas
Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, Silver
Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam
Civil Actions Medal. After
retiring from the Army, Dan and his family moved to Montana, building a log
home. Being bored after the completion of the home, Dan sought employment
with the Department of Transportation. He retired a second time, with 17
years of service at the State of Montana. A
huge highlight in Dan’s life was when his lifelong dream of hunting in Africa
came true. He hunted Zimbabwe in 2000, and Namibia in 2002 and 2006. Capital
Sports was always a favorite spot for Dan and it was
no surprise when he took employment with them. It was his way of staying
connected to the hobby he had always loved. Teaching
Hunter’s Safety for 20+ years was an experience Dan cherished. It seemed to
be his way of giving back to so many who had mentored and taught him over the
years. Dan
was an animal lover and told many stories of his life with his dog Shane,
horses Skip and Rusty, and the numerous hamburgers he used to gain favor with
Linda’s dog Missy. In
all of Dan’s careers, he made numerous friends who admired and respected him.
They share in our loss. Dan
was preceded in death by his devoted parents, Larry and Thelma Martin,
mother-in-law, Auriel Hiltabrand and sister-in-law Marsha Martin. He is
survived by his wife, Linda; children Robert (Shantell) Martin of Absarorkee;
Sara (Mike) Kohrs of Lake City, Minnesota; Tina (Seth) Hanley of Helena; and
Jennifer (Jason) Miller of Great Falls; siblings Jerry Martin of Worthington,
Ohio; and Jeanene (Robert) Hemenway of Littleton, Colorado. His 10
grandchildren were a source of utmost pride: Jackson, Garrett, Kaelissa,
Rebecca, Bennett, Kendalyn, Madelyn, Cooper, Rachel and Addilyn will miss him
deeply. An eleventh grandchild will be added in October. A
celebration of his life will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2018 at
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, Montana
59602. A reception will follow the celebration of life in the funeral home
social hall. Following the reception, a burial with full military honors will
be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials
may be sent to St. Peter’s Health Hospice at 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601,
Lewis and Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604, or the charity
of the donor’s choice. Special
appreciation is given for the support and care Dan and Linda received from
the staff of St. Peter’s Health and Hospice. Celebration
of His Life, 11:00 a.m. Friday July
13, 2018, Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave, Helena,
Montana 59602
Burial with Military
Honors
Friday July 13, 2018
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Memories
My thoughts and
prayers are with you. I will miss Dan
so much. As his brother we had a lot of childhood adventures and memories. My
thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who have known him over
his life. May your path be peaceful. Deepest
condolences to the Martin family and friends for the loss of your loved one
Daniel. Gone but not forgotten a wonderful promise in God’s word the Bible
for the loved ones we have lost in death a resurrection back to life very soon
for the righteous and unrighteous Acts 24:15; John 5: 28,29, right here on a
brand-new Paradise Earth no more sickness pain or death life without end
Revelation 21:1-5. I served with
Captain Martin in Vietnam. He was a fine officer and an excellent pilot. His
skills and his leadership saved many lives. I remember him as he was then as
he flies that last mission into the heavens. SSGT Bruce Nesmith, B Co.
(Lancers), 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. Dan was my
friend for 45 years. We soldiered together, hunted together, reloaded ammo,
shot rifles, pistols, and told “war stories” together as often as we could.
Dan was a patriot; a good pilot, artilleryman, soldier, and just an
all-around “good-guy”! We were posted in the US Army in the US and Germany
during the cold war years. Although after our retirement from the Army, we
were separated by distance, we kept-up (usually through wife’s) we always
picked up where we left off from a previous meeting, as men are won’t to do.
I will miss him and his counsel on matters relating to the shooting sports
and hunting…. especially those times we spent afield swapping-lies
about one or another hunt! Dan was so easy to be friends with, always polite
and considerate of his hunting buddies. I will cherish the times we spent
together across the years….Rest easy old soldier!! To the family
of Daniel Martin. Words cannot express the pain you’re feeling. My family
sends their deepest sympathy to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
and your family. John 5 verse 29. I first met Dan
in ’68 at Ft Carson, Co. We went to ‘Nam together and then returned home and
roomed together for 3 years at Ft. Rucker, Al. We shared a lot together and
stayed in contact on and off as it always seems to happen when one changes
duty stations. We met again a couple of years ago when Dan and his wife Linda
stopped by and paid us a visit. Will always cherish his memory as he was one
of the finest officers and men that I have ever met. Am so glad to have been
able to call him friend. Lancer 26 this is Lancer
17. White Robe 6 is calling you home to the Roundtable. You have completed your mission and are to return to
base. I have a few more sorties to complete but shall return soon. When you
get there say hi to Ben and LaFong and the others
for me. Tell them that I will be there shortly, and we will raise a glass to
our absent friends. Dan had such a
quiet strength about him and was so down to earth and practical. So many fond
memories. Hunting and the outdoors were definitely his
passion, but he also made a mean spaghetti sauce from scratch!! He was a
wonderful dad to Bob and Sara and taught them many life lessons. I remember
when they’d get in trouble as teenagers and one of his favorite sayings to
them was, “Bad news doesn’t get better with age!” I’m sure they’ll use that
line on their children when the time comes!! Rest in peace, Dan. Linda and
family, I’m so sorry to read about Dan’s passing. I enjoyed working with Dan
at MDT and waving (and occasionally chatting) with you guys when you lived in
the neighborhood. May God comfort you during this sad time and always. Dan will always
be remembered as a great friend. He was always ready to help with Hunter
Education classes and could be counted on to be early. After class he was
ready to join a group for soft drink and keep a few fellow instructors on
their toes due to the circle of razing. I also enjoyed a trip to Libby for a
bear hunt where I was introduced to couple real rifles as Dan put it. Great
guy all around. Peace be with you. Jay Ramlo To my loving
brother who had a heart of gold and I will miss and think of every day may
you Rest In Peace and continue in your adventurers
all my love your sis Dan was my
first supervisor at MDT. I am only here now because of his kind guidance at
my interview. Rest in peace. I always
enjoyed working with Dan over the years at MDT and seeing him at Capital
Sports when my family was in looking for the next “toy” for my husband! Linda and family, our
thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.Hugs and blessings, Dori Lynn Linda, You and
your family are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy. My heartfelt
condolences to Dan’s family. My thoughts and prayers are will all of you. In
my experience, Dan was humorous, adventurous and fearless. He was an
honorable man. Dan was one of my real-life hero’s. |
