CMSgt Arthur J. Marthaller, USAF (Ret.)

Arthur was born September 19,1931 in Portland, Oregon to Joseph Raymond Marthaller and Katherine Ashenberener.

St Paul, Oregon was the mark of the beginning of a 70 plus year courtship with his wife Grace Marie Kirk. They married November 6, 1954.

In 1950, Art Marthaller entered into the United States Air Force. His military assignments spanned the continent and the globe, with such places as California, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, and Korea along with many others.

Some highlights of Art Marthaller's military career included an active role in the Air Force Level Sports-- baseball and football. In 1964, when Arthur Marthaller was the head coach for the Air Force Baseball Team located in Hawaii, he was asked to assist Mr. Rod Deaudeaux in coaching the first USA Olympic Baseball Team participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games. In 1966 Brigadier General Ralph Hallenbeck offered Art Marthaller the Head Coaching Position for the Air Force Academy Baseball Team.

In the early seventies, Art Marthaller was a part of the original group to bring the Order of the Sword to Air Defense Command. The first recipient of the Order of the Sword in Air Defense Command was Major General Archy Burke, the Commander of the 25th Air Division. While serving as Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 25th NORAD Region Control Center in the early seventies, the 25th Air Division was awarded the Freddy Smith Award for the best Air Defense unit two years in a row. In 1973, Major General Jack Gamble, the 25th Air Division Commander, nominated Art

Marthaller to be the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

In 1976, Art Marthaller retired with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. The indication of a false attack against North America transmitted from Cheyenne Mountain in 1979 and 1980 prompted an intensive investigation into the operation, management, and control of the Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (TW/AA) system. As a result of those incidents and the subsequent investigation, the Test Control office was created in 1980, with the specific purpose of controlling all testing of the Integrated TW/AA system. Art Marthaller returned to the Air Force in Civil Service as an important part of the new Test Control. Art Marthaller has been an integral part and leader in the organization since DAY ONE. As Chief of Test Control, he was responsible for the testing, Operational Test and Evaluation and the operational integration of all TW/AA Systems and Communications. He determined what, when, and how systems were tested and integrated. He retired from the Civil Service December 20, 1994.

He is preceded in death by his three brothers; Raymond, Donald and Samuel.

Art Marthaller has been married to Grace Kirk for 70 years. They have five children, 3 daughters--Maggie, Mollie and Carrie, and 2 sons-- John and Paul. Art is also survived by his sister, Kathleen.

Art and Grace Marthaller have eight grandchildren-- Marie , A.J., Patrick, Katie, Mollie Ann, Madison, Emmett and Grace. Six great grandchildren-- Cooper, Maggie, Lane, Paisley, A.J. and Ellison.

Our dad was the most loving and selfless father to ever grace this earth. We are so grateful for his sweetness and a kind heart. The honor and respect and heartfelt love he had for his family, taught us how to treat each other. He put our family above all else and was truly in love with our mom for the 70 years of their marriage and we know it will continue for eternity

Our dad was a man of quiet strength and unwavering love, a father who never needed grand gestures to show how deeply he cared for each of his children. His love was evident in the everyday moments- all without a complaint. Through his steady presence and constant support, he taught what love truly meant. He wore his service with humility, never boasting of his accomplishments, but letting his character speak louder than any words. His humility and respect for others earned him the deepest admiration of his family and all who knew him. In his presence, you felt safe, valued and loved- unconditionally.

93 years of dedicated loyalty and left this physical world having received what's most important in life... LOVE; little else matters.

A memorial mass will be held on July 22, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Colorado Springs, CO with the Rosary at 9:15 am and a reception to immediately follow.

Graveside Services with Full Military Honors 2:00-2:30 at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, Co 80925