Paul Robert Martin

Paul Robert Martin, 66, Superior, WI, died on Monday, December 7, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN after a courageous battle of more than four years with cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.

Paul was born on April 19, 1949 to Robert and Lucille (Gustafson) Martin in Cheboygan, MI. He grew up in Charlevoix, MI and graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1967. Paul earned BA and MA degrees in German, English, and Linguistics from North Central College in Naperville, IL and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Life and wanderlust subsequently took him to many foreign countries. Paul loved foreign languages and was conversant in several, particularly those spoken in the countries in which he lived and worked including Germany, Greece, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. He was employed in teaching and administration.

After returning to the United States, he studied accounting and became a CPA in 1992. Paul moved to Superior, WI in 1998 when he married Beth Gilbert. Since that time, he was employed as an accountant at Luigino’s Inc. for five years and then Bergquist Imports for nine years. He retired in 2012.

Paul was an active member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Superior and served as Treasurer, lay leader, Church Council member, and sang in the choir. Paul loved to sing and in his early adult years, sang barbershop harmony. In addition to the Pilgrim Church Choir, he was a proud member of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Chorus for sixteen years, and loved participating in the many concerts with the DSSO.

An avid follower of the news and self-avowed news junkie, Paul enjoyed keeping himself informed as well as passing on the wonders and complexities of the world to anyone who listened. He rarely passed up the opportunity to discuss public policy or international affairs over coffee, with friends or strangers. One of his favorite haunts after retirement became the Red Mug Coffeehouse in Superior.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Gilbert; his two daughters, Caroline (Greg) Martin Owsley, Kansas City, MO and Kristin Martin, Madison, WI; their mother, Leila Martin, Prescott, AZ; his sisters, Ann (Maynard) Sherwin, Raleigh, NC and Elaine (John St. Laurent) Martin, Beaverton, OR in addition to many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Adele St. Laurent.

The family expresses special thanks to the outstanding staff of St. Luke’s Hospice, especially Carol Gist for her dedicated and vigilant care, and to the entire nursing staff of 2 West at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Monday, December 14, 2015 at the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue in Superior.

Visitation will resume on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap Street, Superior at 10:00 AM and continue until the 11:00 AM memorial service with Pastor Will Mowchan officiating.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Paul’s name to Pilgrim Lutheran Church.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit
www.downs-lesage.com.