Robert (Bob) Martell, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, at St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center.
Bob was born in Chicopee Falls, Mass., to Alderic Martell and Cora Andrews Martell. He graduated from the University of Maryland and took his master’s degree in Soviet affairs at American University.
Bob served his country and earned a Purple Heart in World War II as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. His life work was with the Central Intelligence Agency, including a 21⁄2-year stint in Vietnam during the early 1970s, at the time of the Tet Offensive. Durning that period, his first wife, Barbara, and their sons, Scott and Craig, lived in nearby Taiwan.
He retired in 1983 and moved to Seven Lakes, where his wife died after a short illness. He soon became as active in retirement as he had been in his working life, involved in civic, volunteer and political affairs in Moore County.
He served on the board of directors of the Seven Lakes Landowners Association and wrote a column for the Seven Lakes Times. He also conducted a course, “Exploring the Issues,” at Sandhills Community College, and did substitute teaching in history and English at Pinecrest High School.
He joined the local branch of the Sierra Club, where he met Joanne Martell, his future wife. Together they tutored in reading at the McCain corrections facility and Southern Pines Elementary School. He was chair of the Moore County Literacy Council and a board member of the Pauley Lecture Series. He enjoyed local Kiwanis friends, as well as county-wide friends he made as chair of the Democratic Party of Moore County in 1986–88.
When Belle Meade Continuing Care Community opened in 1999, the Martells moved in on the first day and lived there happily, writing and publishing and cherishing the feeling of community.
Bob was preceded in death by his brother Norman. He is survived by his wife Joanne; son Scott and daughter-in-law Gigi; son Craig; and granddaughter Willow Martell.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Joseph’s Alzheimer’s Ride, 100 Waters Drive, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
As he wished, arrangements were handled by the Cape Fear Crematory.
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