Robert A. Martin

Robert A. "Bob" Martin, age 56, of Battle Creek, went home to his Lord on Tuesday morning, September 26, 2006 at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice House in Battle Creek. Bob was born on January 23, 1950 in Kalamazoo to William Herschel and Julia Helen (Santek) Martin. Bob came to Marshall with his family in 1962. He graduated from Marshall High School with the Class of 1968. Bob then attended Kellogg Community College, while enjoying hanging out with his friends at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo! Bob lived in Indiana a short time, then moved to the east coast. He lived in Washington,D.C., and Atlantic City before moving to Philadelphia in 1989. Bob worked in the restaurant industry while on the east coast. In Philadelphia, he was a manager for the Westbury Restaurant. In 1999, Bob moved back to Marshall. While discussing what type of business might work well on Marshall''s main street, his friend Kasia suggested a "gift basket" business. Bob researched the business and opened the "Plum Perfect Gift Basket Company" in downtown Marshall. Bob came up with the name for the business in a dream one night, waking up with it in his head! The company has operated through Bob''s illness with his faithful friends and staff, Sue and Linda, and will continue to do so at it''s present location in the Garden Theater Shops on W. Michigan Avenue. Bob was a member of the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, and Marshall BNI Group. He was a leader for an Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter in Battle Creek. He was active in his church in Battle Creek, the Sign Of The Covenant MPC, where he served as a board member. Bob enjoyed golfing in the Friendship League at Cedar Creek Golf Course. He enjoyed being at home, listening to some of the music he loved, including many jazz selections. Bob was a loyal and faithful brother, uncle and friend. He always was quick to help when help was needed. Bob loved children. He was a knowledgable sports fanatic! Bob could tell you who was playing when and where, the results of the games afterwards, and quote statistics with great accuracy. The teams could be high school, college or pro, he enjoyed them all. Bob is survived by his sister, Patricia A. (Gary L. )Miller of Goshen, Indiana, who lovingly saw to Bob''s care during his last illness; his nephew Colby W. Tyson of Goshen; dearest friend Katherine "Kasia" Schutte of Brownstown, and her son Bill Schutte of Lenexa, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1992 and his father in 1996. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 2PM to 9PM, where family will be present to greet friends and share memories from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. Funeral services to celebrate Bob''s life will be held on Friday, September 29, at 11AM at Kempf Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Bond officiating. Cremation will follow the funeral service, and Bob''s cremated remains will be interred with his parents in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo. The family suggests that friends who wish to make memorial contributions direct them to Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice House. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.