Robert O. Martin (1921-2012)

Robert O. Martin was born on December 28, 1921 in Bradley, Illinois to Ovide L. and Varena Allgaier Martin. In 1939, he was a member of the basketball state tournament team and and a member of the first area team to make it to the Sweet 16. Bradley entered the U.S. Army, serving during World War II. He was a member of the 104th Infantry Division "Timberwolves" in Europe and was awarded the Purple Heart. On May 27, 1950 he married Betty J. Kassman. From 1961 to 1987, he served as chef of police of Bradley, Illinois. On October 13, 1992, his wife Betty passed away. Martin also the acting mayor of Bradley from October 14, 1999 to April 28, 2001. He was elected to the BBCHS Athletic Hall of Fame. He coached baseball. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, the Bradley Village Board, the Elks, the Moose, Kankakee County Tourism, the Bradley VFW Post 6502, the Bradley American Legion Post 0766, the Hundred Club of Kankakee County, the BBCHS District 307 Board of Education for 12 years and Kankakee County Crimestoppers. He was an avid golfer at the Kankakee Elks Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, dancing and being with his family. On Friday, January 27, 2012, Martin died at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, Illinois.