Martin R Lohff

Martin R. Lohff (Marty), a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age 88 on September 17, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and extraordinary achievements.

Marty was born and raised in Holstein, Iowa to Edward and Maud Lohff, growing up on the family farm. As part of his responsibilities, at 14 he learned to drive a tractor before ever driving a car. In the early years, they lived without electricity, and Marty rode a horse to school. In school, he excelled in academics while playing football (quarterback), running track, baseball (as left-handed pitcher), and played the trumpet. Marty graduated with his class of 30 students in 1954.

Marty was accepted into the University of Nebraska and an Air Force ROTC program. He joined the Sigma Nu fraternity, paying for his room and board by diligently serving as the fraternity’s treasurer, and forming some of his closest lifelong friendships. One summer he worked for the forest service in Dubois, Wyoming, which further developed his love of nature and the outdoors. During this period, he also met the love of his life, Lenice Marie Jindra (Lennie) on a blind date arranged by friends. Marty and Lennie were married on June 28,1959 and embarked on a lifelong journey together.

Upon graduation from the University of Nebraska, Marty was accepted into the University’s College of Medicine. He graduated with cum laude and AOA Medical Honor Society distinctions. He then joined the Air Force as a Captain and trained in aerospace medicine. The Air Force took Marty and Lenice to Texas, Montana, and Iowa. While stationed in Texas, Marty had the honor of working on a team with Chuck Yeager, the pilot who famously broke the sound barrier. It was also during these years that Marty and Lenice welcomed their three daughters, Elizabeth, Katherine, and Christine.

After the Air Force, Marty got his pilot’s license and, with Lennie as his co-pilot, flew the family to such places as the Oshkosh, WI Air Show (camping under the wing), Costa Rica, and into Cabo San Lucas, landing on a dirt runway after waiting for the cows to move.

In 1965, Marty continued on as a resident at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, where he worked the majority of his career, specializing in pathology. For a four-year period in the 1970’s, he moved the family to Tucson, to help establish the University of Arizona’s Medical Pathology Department. Marty and Lennie would later spend over 20 years in Tucson in retirement.

Marty was a man of many talents, enjoying mechanical hobbies like rebuilding car engines, and using his tractor for projects such as crafting totem poles for his grandchildren and building them treehouses. Many of the family’s fondest memories were created on an “island” near Schuyler, Nebraska, where Marty built a cabin alongside the Platte River teaming with wildlife and nature. Marty had a green thumb, and family and friends frequently enjoyed the meals he and Lennie prepared from their homegrown produce.

Marty and Lenice embraced retirement, becoming snowbirds and spending time with their daughters, friends, and community. They also traveled the world frequently with the Friendship Force. They were active members of Desert Hope Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona where Marty sang in the choir and participated in mission trips to build homes in Agua Prieta, Mexico.

Marty and Lenice celebrated 62 years of marriage in June 2021, and their lives were filled with love, adventure, and service. Marty’s brilliant mind, kind and humble heart, and generous spirit left an indelible mark on all who knew him. We will miss his passion for family, flying, love of the outdoors, and his countless contributions to the lives of others. Marty was truly one of the greats.

Martin is preceded in death by his parents,Edward and Maud Lohff, his brothers, Clarence Lohff (Mildred) and Raymond Lohff (Velda), and his beloved wife Lenice. Marty is survived by his three daughters Elizabeth (Mike Brower) Lohff, Katherine (Mike) Noonan, and Christine (Mike) Thompson, and grandchildren Karolyn (John) Jackson, Jacob (Mary) Noonan, and Joseph Noonan, and Rachael, Maya, and Tyson Thompson.

The family will hold a Memorial Service on November 2, 2024, at 11:00 am at Desert Hope Lutheran Church. The service will also be live streamed.