Robert Erwin "Bob" Martin

Robert Erwin “Bob” Martin was born in Houston, Texas on March 11, 1941, to William Franklin and Ruby Lula Martin, who instilled him with strong values that guided him throughout his life. The youngest of five brothers raised in Houston Heights, Bob loved spending time with family, hunting, fishing, camping, baseball, & helping others.

While attending Reagan High School, Bob met his first wife Linda June Ruple. Together they built a family, having four children, immersed in camping and the community of Baptist Temple Church.

Bob worked for more than thirty years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company & AT&T. A proud CWA Union Member, Union Organizer, and lifelong Democrat, Bob strongly supported workers’ rights and never crossed a picket line. Despite his firm beliefs, he never allowed political differences to affect how he treated others. He showed kindness and respect to everyone he met.

Bob married Diane Marie Saxrude in 1979, accepting her two sons as his own. Together, Bob & Diane Martin raised the four youngest of their children & did their best to emotionally support all six children in their blended family. Their marriage lasted forty-seven years, until his passing.

Ever the Habitual Volunteer… Bob drove the church bus at Baptist Temple, ensuring those without transportation, the elderly, at risk children, & our Spanish speaking community had easy access to worship and community. Bob coached Little League Baseball & provided groundskeeping at ODC and OFA. His impact with children & teens went way beyond just his own sons & daughters. Later in life, Bob volunteered countless hours at his Home Church of Oak Ridge Baptist Church, focusing on transportation, facilities and events.

Bob spoke often of the importance of being patient & gentle with the elderly, the hurt, the sick, & the bereaved, exemplifying a shining example by how he cared for his mother in her twilight years.

Bob was known for his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Bob had a deep love for Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and John Wayne. He could whistle the melody to nearly any song, though “Flight of the Bumblebee” remained a challenge. He was the person everyone called when their car needed fixing, and every grandchild knew that the best toys always came from Papa.

Bob has been & will always be Papa for eight grandchildren & seven great-grandchildren, who have provided him with extreme joy and pride.

Bob passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, in Conroe, Texas. He will be remembered for his humor, generosity, devotion to family, and unwavering kindness to others. Bob’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Ruby, and his four brothers Joe, Bill, Raymond, & Jack.

He is survived by: His wife of 47 years, Diane M. Martin, daughters Cindy & Elizabeth, sons Dan, David, Brad, & Steve, their spouses, children, & grandchildren.

Visitation (10AM), Funeral Services (11AM), and a Reception (12PM) are scheduled for Thursday February 12, 2026, at Oak Ridge Baptist Church (500 E Oak Hill Dr., Spring Texas, 77386).

A procession will embark at 1:30PM toward Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery (6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023) for Committal Service (3PM).