Hi all - I remember Martin (and Hank) from all the math and science courses we took together at Niwot Sr High.  And while we all went to Mines, our paths didn't cross much.  But I am sorry to hear of Martin's passing and send my best to family and friends.  Pls take care during this time.

Continued:
So he coached her in Arianna's birth also.  He was delighted as to how perfect it was now having a boy and a girl.

He, of course, loved his children very much and was concerned for their welfare.  When Karenina passed away, he wanted to make sure that they were cared for.  In spite of his great pain and sorrow , his thoughts were of his children and how he could possibly help them through this difficult time.

As I said, Martin was loved by our family as one of us.  We cared for him deeply and are grieved and mourning his passing with you.


He was a gentleman. Polite and well mannered. Very pleasant to have around. Always had a smile.  Our family all loved him--and he never stopped being part of our family. John Hunt (Karenina's father) was known to be very strict and had been known to chase away callers.  But Martin won him over with his good manners.  
We had a diner/restaurant in downtown Los Angeles next to Unocal.  From the first time Martin saw Karenina, he came everyday looking for her.  He liked to order our famous Specialty, "Eggs Maurice on a croissant."  However, she did not work at the diner every day (because she set other days aside for her Bible teaching work).  So he would talk to John and the rest of us and we got to know Martin.  She was offered a job at E. F. Hutton Stock Brokers, across the street from Unocal so he was able to see her more often.  Soon he was spending a lot of time at our house because that was okay with John, since there would always be someone at home to chaperone. This went on for some time until they got married.  
He was so excited and delighted when his first child, Daniel was born.  He was Karenina's coach for the birth and was amazed at this marvelous miracle.  Even though it happens all the time, this is still a miracle.  When she was sent home, we came to visit and here Martin was a picture of domesticity.  He had on an apron and was meticulously preparing the baby's bottles in order to give Karenina some rest. 
Then he transferred to the Thailand Unocal Office so when Arianna was to be born he sent Karenina back to the States for her birth.  He wanted to be her coach again for this second child but we didn't think he was going to make it back in time.  So I was trained as her birth coach.  I was in the hospital coaching her through her labor pains,…. "take a deep breath and push, one…., two…., three,  okay"…………..when in bursts Martin into the hospital delivery room……to finish the job.  Her Superhero made it, (her Indiana Jones).  So he coached her in Aria

We are so sorry for your lost.  Our hearts go out to you and your family during this difficult time. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything. He will be miss. Rest in piece Martin. You and my Mom meet each other in Heaven. 

The Bernstein Family- Tampa, FL on behalf of Dung Gable.

Sandy and I are saddened by this news and our hearts go out to Hue and the kids.  Martin will be dearly missed.  He and I never nailed down if we had met in Bangkok.  However, we happened to be neighbors in Bellaire during the time he worked in Houston.  Sandy and I consider it a privilege to have enjoyed many festive celebrations at the Sharps home.  Hue is truly a gifted hostess.  And I thoroughly enjoyed many long and serious discussions with Martin. The years of neighborly friendship are cherished. Rest in peace, brother.

Martin was part of a group of world-class geophysicists from the country’s best universities newly at Unocal in Los Angeles when I first met him in the 1980’s.  He could hold his own with the best of them technically, but what stood out for me was his true love of people, manifested by his engaging manner and endearing eye contact in conversation and presentations, professionally or personally. Working with Martin was a joy, a high point of a long day at a corporate headquarters.  In the 1990’s I enjoyed his collegial manner at company meetings in Southeast Asia, but what stands out most for me was a chance encounter on a sidewalk in Bellaire, Texas, a few years back after at least a decade of not seeing each other.  There was that collegial, engaging eye contact, and a genuine care for how I was doing.  We have lost a shining light. 

Martin, what a shock to learn that he has passed!  I met him at Union Oil of California, Los Angeles.  Martin  was always smiling, very kind and friendly.   I remember the Valentine's Day he came into the office with his arms full of red roses.   Martin gave one to each lady on our floor.   So many smiles and much happiness that day, all because of a very special person!   

Martin Sharps and I first met in the fall of 1976; both freshmen at the Colorado School of Mines.  By some quirk, we were in all of the same classes, same times, same professors, that first semester.  And by that fate, we became friends.  At CSM Martin was in the SigEp fraternity, which meant we competed against each other in a lot of intramural sports.  Martin was a competitor, especially as I recall in football.  Through our CSM years, we shared many geology classes, but Martin being a math/physics wizard, ended up taking the more difficult route in geophysics.
After graduation in 1980, we set out on our differing but similar careers in the oil industry.   
Fast-forward 25+ years and I’m walking down the hall of the Unocal Thailand office, on a floor I’m not usually on and I walk past an office and hear “Chris!”   I did a double-take, looking first at the person and second at the door signage, but it was unnecessary as I knew it was Martin.  I remembered his fun and excited voice and other than a few gray hairs, he looked that same.  It was a fond reunion and we had lunch many times after that reunion.
We were also fortunate to meet his wife Hue and her children when they lived in Bangkok.  Hue was always gracious to us and invited us and our two children (both adopted from Vietnam) to their annual “Tet” or Vietnamese new year party.  Martin and Hue’s “Tet” parties were well-attended by their large circle of friends.  Our children always looked forward to Tet but Martin and Hue’s party could not be topped.  It was always a special evening.
I will miss Martin.  He was kind and generous and always willing to help. This spirit will be carried on by Hue and his children.

God Bless his family and his soul.


I was very sad to hear the news that Martin had passed away at such a young age.  I had not seen or talked to Martin in over 40yrs but always remember him fondly.  Back in 1979 when entering Colorado School of Mines as an out of state freshman who did not know a soul in Colorado, had a chance meeting of what is now a lifelong friend.  That chance meeting was serendipitous and led us through the doors of the Sig Ep house during rush week.  We were asked to and did join the Sig Eps and when it came time for us new pledges to pick an existing member as a big brother, I picked Martin.  Hard for me to recall exactly why now, but I think it was because he seemed confident and calm with who he was, which was exactly opposite of how I felt at the time.  When I recall those years at CSM and living at the Sig Ep house, they are cherished memories and Martin always comes to mind.  Here’s to you brother Martin, may you rest in eternal peace.


I knew Martin when he was in the Unocal Vietnam and Bangkok offices and then later as a member of Chevron’s Angola exploration team. Martin was an excellent geophysicist. He knew his stuff. No one could review the fundamentals of a seismic interpretation or well plan better than Martin. Junior staff learned a lot about the basics from Martin. My condolences to his family. It is truly sad to hear of Martin’s  passing.

We are saddened to have learned of Martin's passing. We extend our deepest condolences to Martin's family and friends. 
We knew Martin only from a few get togethers over Vietnamese celebrations.  But that was enough to make a lasting memory.
Myself, I guess I connected from some common work backgrounds and the countries we both lived in at some time of our lives. I very much liked him, he was a very likeable person. Martin, you will be missed.
Red and Thi My Hang - Houston, TX

Martin was a Sig Ep "pledge brother" of mine (5th from the left almost hiddden in the back row) and a good friend.  

After graduating Mines I was fortunate to spend some time with Martin and Karenina and attend their wedding, when we lived near each other in California for a short time.  

Far too young to pass, but he's in a good place I'm sure.  Rest in peace Martin, and a last h-e-e-y-y-y!   - Doug and Sharon


Martin and I met at the Colorado School of Mines when I was a freshman and he was a sophomore, circa 1978, both of us studying geophysics.  We met at a "social gathering" where there were a lot of students ready to set aside their studies for a brief respite.  As the curriculum was strenuous, these moments of social gathering were seldom had but thoroughly enjoyed.  Martin was with his rag top Jeep (the same one Paul Ware mentioned) and it was winter: he had the top down, go figure.  We had lots of time together in Los Angeles later on as we were newbies at Union Oil and again met in Thailand as well as Houston more recently.  Martin played hard, worked hard, had an intense intellect but was a wonderful and warm human being: always humble, gracious .  I was devastated when I heard about Martin's untimely passing, we've lost a truly wonderful person, another tragedy in a long line of tragedies that have befallen him and his family in the past.  Suffice it to say, Martin was and will be forever, truly a soul mate of mine.  He will be missed.

Very very sad to read this obit. It was well written and moving and truly reflects the kind man we all knew and admired. I had spoken to Martin not long before his retirement, being concerned that he didn't seem likely to land a role in the upcoming selections. You can imagine Martin's soft tone as he calmly thanked me for my "worry" but explained that he was ready to retire and take his life and family on to the next chapter in Colorado. How heartbreaking to find out how short that final chapter was for such a wonderful man. Anyone who worked in the Thailand "factory" in the 90's will remember Martin fondly. RIP Good Sir, my condolences for all those you leave behind.

I’m sad to hear of Martin’s passing- far too young! Martin and I crossed paths in Bangkok - fun days while we were figuring out how best to delineate and develop the Gulf of Thailand fields. I remember Martin as solid and passionate geoscientist, but above all he was always positive and radiated it. His smile will life on in everyone’s memory. 

I remember Martin from his first days in the Unocal office. In our first conversation, I asked him why—in L.A of all places—he drove a 4WD vehicle. I still remember his reply, “Well, Paul, I just hate the idea that there might be someplace I couldn’t go.” The last time I saw him was a chance meeting at IAH. We worked for different companies by then. He was off to Spain on a geological field trip. And that’s how I’ll remember him, always at the start of some new venture and always prepared to enjoy what came his way. 

I crossed paths with Martin in both Indonesia and Thailand while with Unocal/Chevron.  I remember Martin as a skilled and intelligent earth scientist, also a generous and helpful person quick to share his knowledge and his time.  Martin had a good sense of humor, he was a positive person and seemed to always have a smile and a sparkle in his eye.

I worked with Martin in the Unocal/Chevron Jakarta office in 2005-06. He had just transferred in from Thailand, and he made great contributions to our Indonesia office right away. I am sorry to hear of his passing, he was a fine colleague. 

I had an office right next to Martins while working in Bangkok.  I remember one day getting a call from Amy that during a storm a tree had fallen on the car as her and my son (a toddler at the time) were on the way back from school.  I went to straight to Martin's office.  He was on the phone.  As soon as he got off the phone, he said you will never guess what happened.  Hue was hit by a tree while driving around the neighborhood.   What a crazy coincidence. 
 I feel blessed to have worked with Martin.  He was kind hearted and smart.

I remember Martin from the time he and I were colleagues at Unocal in Bangkok. He was an inspiring colleague and a fine man.
I wish all Martin’s beloved ones all strength in these difficult times.

I'm so sad to hear this news. Martin was my colleague at Unocal Thailand. He is a good geophysicist and he contributed a lot of work for petroleum exploration and production in the Gulf of Thailand.

OBITUARY

Martin W. Sharps

September 19, 1958 – October 24, 2021

Ahlberg Funeral Chapel

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