Kenneth Martin

KENNETH LEE MARTIN
(1943 – 2007)

Kenneth (Ken) Lee Martin was born in Rawlins, Wyoming, in 1943 to Sylvester Franklin and Essie Isabel (Milroy) Martin. He died at age 63, on April 17, 2007, at Wyoming Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ken attended Natrona County High School, graduating in 1961. He studied at Casper College, receiving an Associate of Arts in Engineering degree in 1963. While there, he was also a mainstay of the theatre program, playing major roles in numerous stage productions including the role of Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. He went on to attend Denver University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication. At DU, he also participated in the select University Choir which sang concerts across the nation.

He began his broadcast career while he was a CC student, working at KVOC Radio on the "Barney's Barn" program in the early 1960's. After graduation from DU, he went to work for KTWO Radio and Television in 1966, where he was a program producer in charge of special events for almost 20 years. From 1987 through 1997, he served as producer for the University of Wyoming Cowboy Sports broadcasts on KTWO Radio's Wyoming Radio Network. From 1997 through his death, he was employed by KTWO Radio as an engineer, video specialist, website developer, computer systems expert, and all-around troubleshooter. He also operated his own videography and editing service, Iconologue

Ken's last major role onstage came in 1976, when he played John Adams in Casper Community Theater's Bicentennial production of the musical 1776. However, he remained an avid theatre-goer and supporter throughout his life. For the past six years he provided tremendous behind-the-scenes help to Stage III Community Theatre, and was honored with a Volunteer of the Year award in 2005.

His consummate skill as a cameraman led to his being chosen by NBC Television to help shoot the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Ken reveled in the challenging work, and his passion for "getting it right" won him many friends in that venue – notably with the Russian ice skaters, who found language was no barrier when it came to communicating with the friendly cameraman who admired their skills.

Other highlights of Ken's life included producing 15 years of Labor Day telethons for MDA, escorting Hal Holbrook around Casper when he performed here in 2000, and serving in many capacities at First United Methodist Church. The Wyoming Association of Broadcasters, the Wyoming State Sports Hall of Fame, and the Wyoming Health Fairs all benefited from his donations of time and talent.

Ken never believed in short cuts or doing a job that was just "good enough." His dedication and commitment inspired generations of broadcasters and taught them that excellence is just as achievable in Casper, Wyoming, as in New York or Los Angeles. His many friends remember him as "fussy, picky, persnickety, painstaking" … and wouldn't have wanted him to be any other way. He was everyone's Uncle Kenny, and the loss of his ready smile and terrible puns leaves a void his friends will not soon be able to fill. In addition to broadcasting, he had a passion for live theatre, old movies, great music, and travel. He was deeply proud of his family's Manx heritage (his mother was born on the Isle of Man) and devoted to his church.

Ken is survived by a brother, Robert A. Martin of Cody, and three nieces, Jenny Baldwin of Grand Junction, Co., Sheila Linden of Oak Creek, Co., and Regan Papineau of Tyoga, N.D.

Services will be held Monday, April 23, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Casper. A Celebration of Life will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Casper Petroleum Club. Memorials may be directed to the Wyoming Chapter of the MDA (PO Box 10800, Casper, 82602), to First United Methodist Church of Casper (318 East 2nd Street, Casper, 82601), or to a charity of the donor's choice.