Thetford Center, VT – Robert W. Martin, Jr., 66, passed from this life in the arms of and surrounded by his loving family on Saturday May 21st at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

He was born November 19, 1944 in Lebanon, NH a son of Robert W. and Catherine "Tina" McCarthy Martin. Bob graduated from Hartford High School in 1962 and proudly enlisted in the US Air Force at the age of seventeen. He served as an Air Force mechanic for 21 years at bases across the world including at the Da Nang Airbase during the Vietnam War and supervising maintenance on Air Force One during the Reagan administration. He was married to Patricia Kniskern July 16, 1966 in Shrewsbury, MA. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1984 they returned to Vermont and have made their home in Thetford Center for the past 25 years. Bob followed his passion for cars and worked as a self employed mechanic for most of that time. He also worked at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in White River Jct. for a time.

He was a life member and Past Commander of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 2571 and a life member of the American Legion Post 26 both in White River Jct. He was also a member of the Twin State Cruisers and the National Street Rod Association.

Bob was predeceased by his parents and a brother Raymond Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patricia of Thetford Center; two sons Mark A. Martin and wife Brenda and children Phillip and Seth of Canaan, Burt A. Martin II and partner Lisa of Sharon, VT and children Megan, Lauren and Nathaniel; his siblings Barry Martin and wife Linda of Hartland, VT, Louise Lopez of West Lebanon, NH, Madalyn Locke and husband Sheldon of Quechee, VT, Kathy M. Martin of Bellows Falls, VT, Daniel Martin and wife Betty of Belleview, FL, Peter J. Martin and wife Anita of Virginia, Bruce Martin and wife Lisa of Belleview, FL and Thomas Martin and wife Laurie Anne of Canaan, NH; two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law; 18 nephews, 15 nieces, 29 great-nephews, 22 great-nieces and his faithful companion "Laddie".

Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT Wednesday May 25th from 2-4PM and 6-8PM. A memorial service will be held Thursday May 26th at 10AM in the Chapel of the Vermont Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center, VT with burial and military honors provided by the Vermont Air National Guard's Green Mountain Boys following. A procession of Street Rods will leave the Knight Funeral Home Thursday at 8:30AM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756 (www.cancer.dartmouth.edu)