RIP Gene Martin
By: Lou Drendel

            Gene Martin passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on August 1, 2006 at his summer residence in Clark, Colorado. He is survived by his wife Debbie, 7 children, 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. His first wife Emily preceded him in death.

            Gene was a very successful concrete contractor when he decided to relinquish the management of Martin Cement Company to his brother and retire to pursue his hobbies. “Pursue” is not nearly a strong enough description of Gene’s efforts. Whether it was hunting, fishing, sailing, horseback riding, golf, or flying, Gene attacked each with relish, and he wanted to share his enthusiasm and enjoyment with all of his many friends.

            Gene was the father and Godfather of the Lima Lima Flight Team. It was because of his efforts to include as many pilots as possible in his newfound passion for formation flying that he formed a partnership that specialized in the acquisition of T-34s through CAP auctions. He did not really need the five of us to tell him how to buy and sell, but he wanted us to share in the adventure. Moreover, it was not just Ted Adams, Bill Cherwin, Rick Gretz or I who were to benefit from these transactions. The six T-34s that we bought were instrumental in the formation of at least three flying clubs and several partnerships. By 1987, we had six T-34s within our local (suburban Chicago) operating area. What had begun as Saturday and Sunday fly-outs for breakfast or lunch eventually encouraged more serious formation flying. Among his many good qualities was an uncompromising dedication to action. Once a decision had been made, he implemented it immediately. When we passed out call-signs, “Quick” seemed just right for Gene.

            We were just having fun, but it was Gene who saw the business potential for a six-airplane formation team. His intuitive business sense and ability to read people were the catalyst in bringing a diverse group of pilots together to form our team. He managed the fledgling team for 10 years before retiring to Florida/Colorado full time. In those ten years, the Lima Lima Flight Team went from a gaggle of fun-seeking local pilots to a professional, coast-to-coast and border-to-border business. Gene taught us a lot about business relationships, but he taught us even more about how to live. He was generous to a fault, ready to lend a helping hand before you even thought to ask.

            Gene had suffered a traumatic loss in 1990 when his first wife Emily died. Gene suffered, but he didn’t stop living. He subsequently met and married Debbie and, in 1994, Molly was born. Gene loved being a parent, and his new daughter gave him renewed pleasure in that role. At the end of his life, Gene was dedicated to his new family and the upbringing of Molly. He was more devoted to this than to any of his other, now peripheral, hobbies.

            I was proud to think of him as my best friend. I am sure I share that sentiment with many others. To say that Gene will be missed is the height of understatement. To say that he will not be forgotten is the height of redundancy. To those of us who were fortunate to know him well, this is going to be one, long, long, unending wake. God speed, Quick.