Remembering Richard Martin

Richard J. Martin, retired Audiovisual Production Specialist at UND Aerospace, died Thursday, May 10, 2018 at his home in Grand Forks, under the care of hospice and his family. He was 63.

Richard James Martin was born January 17, 1955 in Grand Forks to William and Darlyne (Montgomery) Martin.  He grew up in East Grand Forks, attended Sacred Heart grade school, and graduated from EGF Senior High School in 1973.  He graduated cum laude from UND in 1995 with a Broadcast Journalism degree.

Richard was employed by the UND Aerospace Network from 1994 until his retirement in 2016. He also enjoyed his work as a chef in various area restaurants, including The Bronze Boot, The Townhouse, Whitey’s, and The River Bend.

Richard had a unique sense of humor and was always making the people around him laugh. If he wasn’t cracking jokes, he was telling outrageous and elaborate “true” stories to anyone that would listen. His life was a stand-up comedy routine, the world was his stage and the people he met along the way were the characters in his next gig. He lived life to the fullest and never slowed down even as his health declined. He put a smile on everyone’s face and he will be missed greatly.

He is survived by his mother, Darlyne of East Grand Forks, 2 children, Michelle Belbas of Buford, GA, Cory Ringdahl of Los Angeles, CA, 1 granddaughter Caitlyn Cole, siblings, David Martin of East Grand Forks, Paul (Ann) Martin of Brown Deer, WI, Barbara Fontaine of Grand Forks, ND, Kathy Lacey of East Grand Forks, Nancy (Mark) Gallivan of Boise, ID and Janice (Bart) Schlaepp of South Carolina.  He is preceded in death by his father, William, 2 brothers, Bradley and Todd, as well as a brother-in-law, Dennis Fontaine.

Funeral Service:  2 P.M. Wednesday May 16, 2018 at the Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks.
Visitation:  5:00 to 7:00 Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at the Dahl Funeral Home, East Grand Forks.
Interment:  Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks.