Robert Martin
September 6, 1923 ~ December 1, 2005
Martin, Robert, 87, founding partner of Martin Pringle Law Firm, passed away Monday, July 18, 2011. Memorial service is 2:30 pm, Saturday, July 23, 2011 at University Congregational Church. Survivors include his wife, Ann; sons, Marsh (Kathy) Martin, Roger Martin both of Wichita; Illinois (Tracy) Blasdel of Leawood, KS; daughters, Carrie (Tom) Trieschman of Wichita, Oakley Blasdel of Rowe, NM; sister, Mary Alice (Bill) Rush of Wichita; grandchildren, Brad (Colleen) Mitchell, Zachary Martin, Gus (Danielle) Martin, Taylor (Mark) Smith, Dakota Martin, Ada Blasdel and George Blasdel; great-granddaughter, Kate Mitchell. Robert “Bob” Martin led an extraordinary life, both personally and professionally. He was born on September 6, 1923, in Kansas City, KS. He received his B. A. from the University of Kansas in 1946 and then served in the U. S. Army Air Force as a B-24 pilot during World War II. Upon his return, he attended the University of Colorado and received his law degree in 1948. Bob began his distinguished law career as a clerk to the Hon. Arthur J. Mellott, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, and was then recruited as a partner in the firm of Collins, Williams, Hughes Martin in Wichita, KS (1950 ~ 1967). Bobs primary emphasis was litigation, including aviation product liability, oil and gas law, and business litigation. He served as chief legal counsel for Beech Aircraft Corporation for decades and was coauthor of the General Aviation Revitalization Act, which placed reasonable limits on aircraft manufacturing liability and ensured that Wichitas manufacturers could continue to produce private aircraft. For over twenty years, he lectured throughout the United States and internationally on product liability issues; he also wrote numerous articles addressing those issues. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association (President, 1970-71). And was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was member of the Board of Directors of Travel Air Insurance Companies and of Mull Drilling Company, Inc. He played polo for over 30 years, was an avid snow skier and hiker, and hunted with his sons and friends in Colorado and Texas for decades. Memorials have been established with Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219, The Salvation Army, 350 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202 and Youthville, 4505 E. 47th St. S., Wichita, KS, 67210 . Downing and Lahey East Mortuary.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Dear Ann, Carrie, Marshall, Roger, Oakley and Illinois, So sorry to have learned of the death of Mr. Martin via Switzerland and then New York where I am at the moment. Please accept my condolences. I met Mr. Martin in 1978 and immediately sensed that he was an exceptional man. Bright mind, strong will, but kind and with a great sense of humor. He had always been generous to me, my mother and my friends and he will always have a special place in my heart. With my deep sympathy and kind regards to you all.
It is with great sadness that I read of Bob’s passing. He was one of my law professors at Presidents College and a well respected person by the students there. I wish to express my condolences to the entire Martin family for their loss.
To the Martin Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I work for Marsh and have come to know of his dad through him. I met Bob only briefly, but what I do know of him, he was a wonderful man.
We were blessed to have known Bob for many years through Brian’s partnership and work with the law firm at Martin Pringle and the personal friendships that resulted thereafter. Bob always had an impact on those he encountered and contributed greatly to the community through his aviation and legal work. We know this is a time of sadness and transition for the family and will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. The article yesterday in The Wichita Eagle and the obituary today were very nice tributes and did an excellent job of honoring him.