Paul F. Martin
Paul F. (Pete) Martin, age 89, New Salisbury, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020.
Pete was born June 21, 1930, at Salem, Ind., to the late Robert P. and Alma Crosby Martin.
Pete was a founding father of the first EMTs in Indiana, responsible for starting Ramsey Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1961 and continued to be an active member until his last day. Through his service, he received the 2002 EMT of the Year in Recognition of Outstanding Service and Dedication. In 2016, he received the Emergency Medical Technician Emeritus Award from the State of Indiana.
He was one of the main drivers of developing the 911 phone and road grid system in Harrison County. He was instrumental in keeping the momentum for this until its completion.
One of his greatest pleasures was serving on the Harrison County Hospital Board of Directors from 1976 until 2012. Over the years, he served as secretary, vice chairperson and chairperson. The EMS building was dedicated in Pete’s name in 2010.
Pete joined Rotary in 1980 and remained an active member through 2020. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. He was honored by New Salisbury Alumni Association and the Chamber of Commerce of Harrison County along with various other organizations. Pete’s passion for Harrison County was obvious in all he did. He established the Pete and Lorine Martin Family Building Fund at the Harrison County Community Foundation in 2016 and was Torch Bearer to kick off the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration.
He will be missed by many.
Surviving are his wife, Lorine C. Uhl Martin; son, David P. Martin (Pamela) of Georgetown, Ind.; daughters, Cheryl Davidson (Mark) of New Salisbury and Susan Pierson (Dan Doering) of Georgetown; sister, Jo Ann Schmidt of New Salisbury; grandchildren, Brent and Doug Martin, Chris and Kyle Davidson, Bradley and Kelsey Pierson and Lindsey Bussabarger; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation: Friday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 22, after 9 a.m. at Swarens Funeral Home, 1405 Highway 64 NW, Ramsey, Ind.
Funeral: Saturday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Bradford, Ind., with interment in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Ramsey Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 47, Ramsey, IN 47166.
