Martin graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College in 1954 and then earned his Master’s degree in geography from the University of Michigan. He also performed further graduate work at the University of Georgia. Martin went on to teach students of all ages, from the 1st grade all the way to college, for a total of 47 years.
Martin is survived by his wife, Phyllis Ochs Raffel; brother Walter Raffel (Sharon); sister Karen Miller (Rick); daughter Pamela Raffel Helland (Larry); son Matthew Paul Raffel; and daughter Sarah Raffel Petersen; grandson Hans Helland (Stephanie), granddaughter Kaari Helland, granddaughter Katie Helland, granddaughter Becky Helland, grandson Noah Raffel, grandson Nick Raffel, granddaughter Constance Petersen, grandson Isaac Petersen, granddaughter Carissa Petersen, and grandson Dawson Petersen; and great-granddaughter Sophia and great-grandson Lars.
Martin was preceded in death by daughter Barbara Joyce Raffel; father Emil Daniel Raffel and mother Martha Veronica Selma Raffel.
A funeral service for Martin will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.