Martin Joseph Pliske

Marty was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 18, 1953, to Daniel and Dorothy (Hahn) Pliske. He grew up in Florissant, Missouri, and attended McCluer High School (Class of 1971) before moving to Columbia to study at the University of Missouri.

Marty’s first career consisted of managing local non-profit organizations, including the YMCA, OATS, and SERVE. He ended his work career with 13 years at the University of Missouri Hospital in Shipping and Receiving where he retired in 2018.

Marty's commitment to service extended far beyond his professional life. He was a dedicated volunteer at YMCA's Camp Lakewood, where he spent countless weekends helping prepare the grounds for summer campers, leading improvement projects, and ensuring future generations would continue to experience the joy of outdoor adventures.

His passion for community service was evident in his extensive volunteer work with numerous local organizations, including the Newman Center Catholic Church, St. Francis House, Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen, and the Senior Center.

Marty found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, including camping and canoeing the rivers of Southern Missouri, gardening, juggling, barbecuing, tending to the fire pit in his backyard with his beloved dog Camp, and spending time with friends and family, whom he was deeply loved and admired.

Marty was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children, Lyndsey and Daniel (Wen Zhao) Pliske, as well as his siblings, Thomas (Nancy) Pliske, Mary (Keith) Shaw, and Michael (Susan) Pliske.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18 in Columbia. If interested in attending, please email Daniel at [email protected] for details. In lieu of flowers, donations to Marty’s YMCA Camp Lakewood Scholarship Fund (https://everloved.com/life-of/marty-pliske/donate/) would be greatly appreciated.