Martin Taylor Pinkstaff

The world is not a better place today. We are truly sorry to announce that our father, Martin Taylor Pinkstaff, passed away peacefully this morning, the 23rd of May, 2018 at his home in Fairfax Station, VA. Marty was a loving husband, father, and a proud doting grandfather. ‘Papa Pinkstaff’ was legendary for his wit, his love of life, his friends, his job, great food (especially Mexican and German), all beer (except Bud Light), but most of all, his love of family. Dad was born on June 8th, 1946, in Oakland California, where his parents, Martin LaVaugn Pinkstaff, and Mary Carolyn Pinkstaff, were living while his father was serving in the Navy. Shortly after his birth, the three of them moved back home to Centralia, Illinois. A move to Kankakee, Illinois was followed by yet another to Terre Haute, Indiana. It was here in Terre Haute that he would graduate high school, attend college, and meet the love of his life, Mary Serban. Mom and Dad starting dating in July of 1964, after she continued to show up at McDonalds to see ‘that cute boy’ that worked there. Just two months into their relationship, on September 3rd, they attended a concert at the Indiana State Fair, featuring that new group from England, the Beatles. Dad had a true love of music throughout his life, but as far as he was concerned, no one was better than the Beatles. In 1967, while working on his degree at Indiana State University, he interviewed and was recruited by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and started working there on January 21st, 1969, after receiving his Bachelors of Science in Geology. Marty and Mary became Mr. and Mrs. Pinkstaff on December 28th, 1968 and honeymooned in Washington D.C. to see where they would be living once work started at the DIA. A short trip from D.C. introduced them to Ocean City, Maryland, which blossomed into a love for the beach that would turn into one of our family’s most enduring traditions. Although he was working for the Department of Defense in a civilian capacity, a 1968 rule change ended the previous draft deferments and Dad was drafted into the Army, where he would serve in the 101st Airborne Division in Phu Bai, Vietnam. While there, he not only learned his life trade, working as an Imagery Analyst, but also became a father for the first time when his son Brent was born in 1971. Returning to the United States in 1971, Dad and Mom moved to Falls Church, VA, where she worked to save money so that they could buy their first home. That first home was realized in Waldorf, Maryland, where a second son, Kevin, was born in 1974. After a few years, the house in Waldorf was sold, and a new one purchased in Oxon Hill, Maryland. It was here that son number three, Scott, was born in 1978, followed by Stephen in 1979, bringing the total to four ‘Pinkstaff boys’. In February of 1981, a move to Springfield, VA would set the stage for the 1980s and beyond. Dad continued to work his real job during the week, and supplemented the family income by working the weekends for Laine Home Improvements, filling Springfield backyards with well-built decks and additions. Those additional funds were used on yearly summer trips to Ocean City, and family nights out at Chi-Chi’s, Tippy’s Taco, and Bar-Js. Dad spent what spare time he did have teaching Brent how to work on Pontiacs, and taking everyone hiking in the Shenandoah’s. All of his hard work and years of service at the DIA was rewarded in 1992, with a position at the On Site Inspection Agency. This new role would take the three youngest ‘boys’, Mary, and three cats to Germany, where they would spend three years exploring Europe and beyond. Dad was able to use all of his years of expertise first hand conducting treaty inspections, seeing up close the equipment that he knew so well from all that time as an Analyst. After returning in 1995 and seeing Scott and Stephen graduate high school, a smaller Pinkstaff group went to Germany again in 1999, returning to the USA permanently in 2001. In 2002, the last and most exciting chapter of his life began, as he retired from official Government service and began his new life as ‘Papa Pinkstaff’, proud grandfather. Papa was the guy who achieved a lifelong dream of owning a place in Ocean City, continued to work for the government (although now as a contractor), and went on overseas trips with the family. Even when he semi-retired to Ocean City, he would drive out and stay at Brent’s house a few days a week to go into work, never tiring of the job. He would roll into town, make popcorn for the grandkids, run into the office, then back to Ocean City to be with Mary. Even when his heath failed, he continued to work and to be around the family. His dedication to the defense of our country and his dedication to his family is unmatched by anyone. Although his cancer was directly related to his time in Vietnam, he never regretted his service there. His Legacy will continue in the family and friends that he leaves behind. He is survived by his wife, Mary, all four of his boys, Brent, Kevin, Scott, and Stephen. Three daughters-in-law: Anne, Sherry, and Ozge. His five grandchildren: Sarah, Ashleigh, Mary, Anna, and Martin John. His brothers Curtis and Chris. His sister Maria. His step-mother Louise. Brothers and sisters-in-law: Donna, Jeff, Becky, Jill, John, Diane – and many nieces and nephews. Marty's life will continue to be celebrated following the services on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 4-8pm at Brent Pinkstaff's home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Honor Flight Network - https://www.honorflight.org/donate-now/ or Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church - https://www.peterpaulpotomac.org/