BLUE HILL – Alfred Simpson Martin, 88, died Jan. 5, 2003, at his residence in Blue Hill. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., March 14, 1915, the son of J. Frederick and Helen (Simpson) Martin. Alfred graduated from Ambler High School. He received his BA from Dartmouth College and PhD from the University of Iowa. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1941 and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, at the time of attack. Alfred served in the central Pacific from 1941-1945 with the Army Corps of Engineers and was promoted to Lt. Colonel in 1944. During World War II, he was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal for his participation in two amphibious assaults and nine major combat engagements. His unit was awarded the Army Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in combat against an armed enemy. Returning home in 1945, he assumed the position of president of King Fifth Wheel Corporation in Philadelphia. In 1951, he was recalled to service in the Korean War. He received the Bronze Star for heroic achievement and service in military operations against the enemy. Following the war, he returned to the Philadelphia area to serve as president and CEO of King Fifth Wheel Corporation. Alfred and his wife, Mary, retired to Blue Hill, and Savannah, Ga., in 1981. He was an active benefactor of the Blue Hill Fire Department, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, and Blue Hill Public Library. He was on the Board of Trustees of Doane College, Crete, Nebraska, from 1980-2000. Alfred was also President of the American Rhododendron Society. He is survived by his wife, Mary M. Martin of Bonita Springs, Fla.; son, Zachary S. Martin and his wife, Laurel, of Needham, Mass.; grandchildren, Isabella Keuhn Martin, Emma Oneida Martin, Alfred Simpson Martin II; sister, Jane Person of Cambridge, Minn.; and his business partner and close friend, Bob Drake. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one sister, Helen Martin. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at the Blue Hill Congregational Church, Main Street, Blue Hill, with the Rev. Rob McCall officiating. Contributions in Alfred’s memory may be made to the Blue Hill Fire Department, Water Steet, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Arrangements are by Healey Funeral Home, South Street, Blue Hill.
ALFRED SIMPSON MARTIN
