Robert Hayes "Bob" Martin

View Video Tribute View Funeral Webcast Robert Hayes "Bob" Martin, 89, retired from DuPont Corporation and long-time resident of Carol Drive, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Life Care of Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Mike Kesler officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors at graveside provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Notes of sympathy may be extended at oakesandnichols.com. Active pallbearers will be Matt Martin, Andrew Altenbach, Brad Mitchell, Larry Nickell, John Hie, Sonny Lee, David Bell, and John Kirk. Honorary pallbearers include Martin Dorris and members of the Porter King Sunday School Class. He was born on August 25, 1924 in Nashville, the youngest child of the late William Dillard Martin and Anne Hungerford Martin. He grew up in East Nashville during the Depression, attended public schools, and was an exceptional athlete, excelling in baseball. On February 21, 1942, he married the former Juanita Lannom in Franklin and they began a life together that spanned 72 years. In late 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the 103rd Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees) and served in the Pacific Theater from 1944 - 1945. He was on the island of Guam and participated in the construction of an airfield that would become a pivotal part of U.S. history and ending hostilities with Japan at the end of World War II. When the war was over, he returned to Nashville to start a career and family. An entrepreneurial spirit lead him to Maury County in 1947 when he purchased a country general store in the Kettle Mills Community. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, he played for numerous baseball and softball teams in the area. In 1952, the DuPont Company had moved its sponge manufacturing plant to Columbia and he took a position there that led to a long career with both DuPont and its successor, Spontex Corporation. During the mid 1950s, he became involved with youth baseball and coached the Kiwanis team in the Pony League. After the Pony League closed there was no league for the age group between Little League and American Legion Baseball and in 1959 he was part of the founding group of the Columbia Babe Ruth League and was the coach of the Babe Ruth team sponsored by Legion Post #19 from 1959 - 1962. He continued to be involved with youth and college baseball as an umpire for several more years. He even participated in slow pitch softball into the 1950s. During the 1960s, he was bitten by "the golf bug" and played with his buddies at Stoneybrook and other Middle Tennessee golf courses until his health forced him to stop playing in 2004. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves (he rarely missed a game) and University of Tennessee "Vols" football and basketball. He always enjoyed growing things in his garden and as a former co-worker once said: "Bob can figure out how to fix anything." He was a great husband, father, grandfather, patriot, and Christian. He was a long-time member of West 7th Church of Christ and the Porter King Sunday School Class. He was also a member of Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19 and Columbia Masonic Lodge #31. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Rob (Janet) Martin of Columbia; daughter, Julie Altenbach of Atlanta; grandsons, Matt (Cara) Martin of Nashville and Andrew (Julia) Altenbach of Boston; granddaughter, Jill (Brad) Mitchell of Columbia; and great grandson, Henry Altenbach of Boston. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Charles Martin, John Martin, William Martin, and James Martin; and sisters, Mary Bowers and Sue Haynes. The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, 4825 Trousdale Dr, Nashville, TN 37220 or the West Seventh Street Church of Christ Building Fund, 405 West Seventh Street, Columbia, TN 38401. The family especially wishes to thank Dr. Steve Simmons and the staff at Life Care of Columbia (Elaine, Pearline, Faye, Lois, Tanya, Wanda, Jonna, Holly, and James) for their dedicated care and kindness.