Heinrich Martin

Heinrich Martin, 77, of 25 Beagle Road, Lewisburg, died peacefully at the Buffalo Valley Rehabilitation Center on April 6, 2016.

Doctor Martin, as he preferred being called, was born on April 12, 1937, in Bremen, Germany.  A few months later his mother took him to rejoin the Martin family, who resided in Bogotá, Colombia. He lived there from 1938 until 1962, attended El Colegio Andino and subsequently completed the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Colombia’s National University (1959).  His subsequent work in agricultural extension with the Servicio Técnico Agrícola Colombiano Americano included collaboration with professionals from the United States.  He accepted a graduate teaching assistantship from Michigan State University, which awarded him a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition in 1967.

From 1968 to 1970  Dr. Martin lived with his family in Mexico City, where he worked at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México as a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  He returned to the United States in 1971 with a research grant in Animal Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

In 1981 the Martins moved to Lewisburg, where Dr. Martin established his practice as a large animal veterinarian.  Here in the Central Susquehanna Valley,  Dr.Martin would enjoy conversing with his  Pennsylvania German-speaking clients using German.

Dr. Martin combined work serving Union Country’s dairy herds with occasional outings on the Bucknell Golf Course with his wife Nonie and his golfing buddy Stan.  His great love of opera took back seat when the New York Yankees baseball games or the Michigan State basketball team were on the air. His home was a showcase for many beautiful objects he crafted in wood, his amazing model airplanes and the beautiful Christmas cactuses he tended.  He enjoyed vacations with his family and their beloved dog Buffy on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos.

Dr. Martin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Leona (Nonie) Martin of Lewisburg; a son, Alexander Lee Martin and his wife Lou Ann Martin of Hopewell Junction, NY,  and a daughter,  Patricia Martin and her husband, Sébastien Caquard, of Montréal, Canada.  Also surviving are five grandchildren: Rebecca, Ruth, Rachel and A.J. Martin in Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; and Victor Martin-Caquard in Montreal.  Dr. Martin also leaves behind two sisters and their families in Germany:  Gisela and Georg Trautwein in Bad Schwartau and Anita Vierthaler in Unterschleissheim.

A memorial service in Dr. Martin’s honor will be held at Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, 40 S. 3rd St. Lewisburg on Saturday April 16, with visitation beginning at 1:00 and the memorial service from 1:30-2:30.  Officiating will be the Church’s pastor emeritus the Reverend John Dromazos and the Senior Pastor, the Reverend Mark Reisinger. Donations may be sent to Haven to Home Canine Rescue at 625 Hillside Drive, Berwick, PA 18603

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, 106 S. Second St., Lewisburg.