Ricard W. “Rick” Martin died peacefully in home hospice in Hermiston on Aug. 14, 2025 surrounded and supported by loved ones at the age of 81.
Rick grew up in La Grande, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1966 and first met his future wife, Joyce (Joy) while he was home on leave as a commissioned naval officer. The pair shared a pizza on a blind date, and Joy was struck by Rick’s intellect, gentle demeanor and impeccable manners. Rick and Joy married in 1967 and would move between San Diego and Texas while Rick piloted S-2s from aircraft carriers and later trained new pilots to do the same. Rick left the Navy in 1972, was hired by Delta Airlines, and he flew with them until he retired in 2002 as a captain.
Rick and Joy moved from Houston with their son Roger to Rockford, Ill., where their daughter Amanda was born. They moved to Eugene where they raised their two children, and would later live in Sisters, Prineville, and finally Hermiston. Of his career as a pilot, Rick would enjoy the challenge and the salary, a chance for him to experience locations and cultures around the world, but did not appreciate the time it kept him away from his home and family.
For those closest to him, Rick was known for his steadfast care, concern, support, intelligence, and independent thinking. He was faithful to his loved ones and his duties as a provider and fostered education and learning as priorities for himself and his family. He was generous with immediate and extended family with possessions and property, never failed to offer help when asked for it, and was always considering and implementing ways to help others move forward in their lives, especially when times were difficult. This was so natural to him that it was sometimes easy for those impacted by his generosity to forget just how special it was.
Rick valued human connection and peace and spread his influence humbly. You might have read one of Rick’s carefully-crafted letters to the editor, encountered him in your life when he held the door open for you or your entire party, or at work when someone looked you in the eye and offered thanks to you for something simple you did for him. You might have seen him sitting in a coffee shop with a good book and a maple bar, and he might have tried to begin a conversation with you about your perspective on life. As much as was humanly possible, Rick was sincere and respectful and behaved and lived as a gentleman.
Rick is survived and missed by his wife of 58 years, Joy; his daughter, Amanda (David) Melville and her children, Hannah, Hailey, and Hope; and his son, Roger (Kelly) Martin and his children, Connor, Evan, and Quinn. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara (Craig) Terjeson; nephew, Sam (Nieves) Martin and his son, Alex; and niece, Karen (John) Hardaway and her son, John Jr.
Rick was predeceased by his father, Wendell; mother, Eleanor; and brothers, Dennis (Lerice) and Lee (Anjala).
A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Hermiston First United Methodist Church, 191 E. Gladys Ave.
Please share memories of Rick with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
