Walter H. Martin

Walter Henry Martin died peacefully on August 10, 2015 in Clackamas, Oregon at the age of 82. He was born in Malta, Montana to Karl and Hazel Martin and was the youngest of six boys. The family moved to Oregon during WWII. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Portland. Walter met the love of his life, Catherine Freda Schwender, at a dance hall in 1954 and they married three months later on September 18. They were happily married for 49 years until Catherine’s passing in 2004. Together they raised their children Debbie and Greg. Walt proudly served twenty years as a police officer with the Portland Police Bureau where, with his call sign 650, he earned the nickname the “King of Hollywood.” His time as a police officer would define him for the rest of his life in not only the stories told but in his helpfulness and acts of servitude. Walt also served with the Army National Guard of Oregon for ten years and was part of the brotherhood of the Masonic Lodge. You did not have to know Walt for long in order to glimpse his greater-than-life spirit. Always one to love being the center of attention, he always had a mischievous smirk on his face, a quick comeback and a wealth of colorful expressions. Yet, although he was quite the rascal, he was also one of the most generous and thoughtful of men. Be it a special treat, a surprise bouquet of flowers, an “I love you” or a kiss on the lips, he always took the time to make sure strangers, friends and family alike felt special. One of the biggest passions in Walt’s life was his love of fishing for spring Salmon on the Willamette River and all things outdoors. He also enjoyed his time at the Portland Adventist Cardiac Rehab facility where he met several lifelong friends. He was a big lover of all dogs and cats, a fine Brandy, NASCAR, Jeopardy, daytime soap operas, discussing the weather and, of course, watermelon. Perhaps most of all, he loved spending time at his grandkids’ activities. Somehow he and Catherine made it to nearly each ball game, dance competition and school event. They were steadfast in their love, support and always cheering their grandkids on. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Kenneth, Glenn, Wayne and Grant, his wife Catherine and their beloved Labrador Sam. He is survived by his daughter Debbie and Jerry Dukleth, son Greg and Janny Martin, brother William and DeElda Martin and grandkids Ryan Martin, Chelsea Martin, Jeffrey Dukleth, Kelli and Ian McLeod and several nieces and nephews. As Walt would put it, he is “A-OK” and “650 is off the air.” In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Portland Adventist Medical Center (PAMC), Cardiac Rehab, 10000 SE Main St., Suite 55, Portland Oregon 97216 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org in Walter’s memory. Service Information