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- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 14, 2016
Ralph Bassett Martin (December 17, 1920 ? August 7, 2016)
On Sunday, August 7, 2016, Ralph B. Martin, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Veteran of W.W.II, age 95. Ralph was born December 17, 1920, to Irene Z. and S. Nelson Martin in Pittsburgh, PA. Ralph graduated from Peabody High School in 1937 and Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1941. Just prior to shipping out to England he married Lois Ann "Taus" Nagle, also of Pittsburgh, to whom he stayed married for almost 59 years. Taus passed away in August of 2002. After he left the Army, Ralph eventually joined his father at Martin & Nettrour Contracting Co. Many decades later Ralph sold M&N and he and Taus moved to Naples, FL. In 2012 Ralph moved to Baltimore. Ralph is survived by his two sons, Doug (wife, Carol) of Tampa and Craig (wife, Dana Johnson) of Baltimore; his daughter, Dana Merson of Nashville; his grandchildren, Abbie McDonnell, Craig Martin, Jr., Lara Martin, Christine Martin, Gina Merson; and great-grandchildren, Gavin and Liam McDonnell. A Memorial service will be held at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Timonium, MD on August 26, 2106 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please remember Ralph with memorial contributions to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation. To find a full obituary and to send condolences please visit peacefulalternatives.com.
Peaceful Alternatives Funeral & Cremation
Ralph B. Martin (December 17, 1920 ? August 7, 2016)
Ralph was born December 17, 1920 to Irene Z. and S. Nelson Martin in Pittsburgh, PA. A younger brother Stephen followed several years later. Ralph graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh in 1937 and went to Carnegie Institute of Technology where he joined Beta Theta Pi and graduated in 1941 with a BS in Engineering.
He joined the United States Army Corp of Engineers as a lieutenant on New Year?s Eve of 1941. Just prior to shipping out to England he married Lois Anne ?Taus? Nagel to whom he stayed married for almost 59 years. Taus passed away in August of 2002. Ralph landed during the Normandy invasion, crossed Europe during the ETO and later stayed after VE day to help with the occupation.
After he left the Army as a Lt. Colonel, Ralph joined Turner Construction where he learned about commercial construction. After earning his stripes at Turner, he joined his father at what eventually became the Martin & Nettrour Contracting Company. With Ralph at its helm the Company grew from building small commercial construction projects around Pittsburgh into a much larger concern building commercial buildings in 17 states east of the Mississippi. Notable buildings M&N built in Pittsburgh include the Pittsburgh Press, Westinghouse?s headquarters, Allegheny Center and General Hospital and the Frick Museum. During that time, Ralph served as the President of the AGC and the Builders Exchange.
Ralph was very active in the Pittsburgh community and at different times was the President of the University Club and the Board of The Ellis School for Girls. He was a member of the Duquesne Club and Longue Vue Country Club, an Elder at Shadyside Presbyterian Church and a Fox Chapel councilman. While his work life was robust and time consuming, he and Taus managed to raise three children- Doug, Craig and Dana. Eventually, Ralph sold M&N and he and Taus moved to Naples, Florida to a house on a canal, bought a sailboat and lived the dream. They were avid golfers and sailors with Ralph getting his captain?s license from the Coast Guard. Ralph continued to stay active in the church and volunteered at the local hospital.
In 2012 Ralph moved to Baltimore to be with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the cherished father of Doug Martin and his wife Carol of Tampa, FL., Craig Martin and his wife Dana of Baltimore, MD and Dana Merson of Nashville, TN; proud grandfather of Abbie McDonnell, Craig Martin, Jr., Lara Martin, Christine Martin, Gina Merson and great grandfather of Gavin and Liam McDonnell.
A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Timonium, MD on August 26 beginning at 3:00 PM. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, please remember Ralph with memorial contributions to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1920 - 2016 (95 years)
d. 22 Nov 1982, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania