Martin Kammerer passed away peacefully at his home in Renton, Washington on March 17, 2013 at the age of 87. He was born in Rapid City, South Dakota to Albert and Agnes Kammerer.
Martin grew up in a rural area and for eight years rode a horse to a one-room, white country schoolhouse. As an early sign of his courage, ambition and work ethic, he left home in 1941 and moved to Sturgis, South Dakota to complete his high school education. He believed he could get a better education there but had to work very hard to support himself once he left home.
Martin completed high school and joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. In March 1946 he passed the entrance exams to West Point and with the recommendation of a congressman was admitted to West Point. After graduating from West Point he took basic flight training at Connally AFB, Texas in 1950. He completed multi-engine advanced training at Reese AFB, Texas in 1951 and all weather fighter interceptor training at Tyndall AFB, Florida in 1952.
Then Marty was assigned to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska where he flew F-94Bs and F-89Ds. He flew in lousy weather, frigid temperatures and the long northern nights and loved it. He moved from line pilot to squadron operations officer and was promoted to Captain during his four years at Elmendorf.
In 1956 Martin went to Moody AFB, Georgia as officer in charge of flight testing and commarder of an aircraft maintenance squadron. While at Moody he applied for attache duty and was assigned as an attache in Beirut, Lebanon in 1959 and Brazzaville, Congo in 1961 after completing Arabic language training at Georgetown University, Washington,D.C. and a one year course at the U.S. Army Strategic Intelligence School in Washington, D.C.
In 1963, now a Major, Martin became a student once again at the Army Command Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He was assigned to U.S. Strike Command Headquarters, McDill AFB, Florida in 1964 as Middle East Desk Officer and retired as a Major in 1968 with 20 years service.
About six months prior to retirement from the Air Force Martin began flying C-47s extensively in preparation for his exams for a commercial captain’s ticket. He passed these exams just before retirement.
After a brief stint a personal pilot for the president of Zaire, Martin was hired by Saudi Arabian Airlines in 1969 and graduated from flying DC-3s to planes s
uch as the CV340A, Boeing 707A, Lockheed 1011A and Boeing 747. He retired from Saudi Arabian Airlines in August 1983.
Once retired, Martin moved to Renton, Washington. He loved flying his Cessna L-19, archeology, gold panning, photography and trout fishing at his cabin in Canada. In 1992 he spent a great year in Prague, Czechoslovakia as a volunteer teaching English to General Staff officers of the Czech Army and Air Force. He crossed the Atlantic a number of times on cargo ships and enjoyed touring Europe, especially Germany. He put many miles on his Prius travelling all around the States and Canada.
Martin had a quick wit, a great sense of humor and a kind and gentle heart. He maintained warm ties with fellow service men, colleagues, friends and relatives. He was a humble man and a generous and loving husband and father. His Catholic faith was always a part of him.
He told many wonderful stories of his life experiences. For example, Martin once got into a bit of trouble in Saudi Arabia. He was jogging and the police thought no one would be running in such heat unless he were running away from something. So they wanted to arrest him. Good thing he could speak Arabic and explain things! If anyone has other Martin stories, please mention them in the comment section.
Martin was predeased by his wife of 37 years, Hannah Kennelly in 1993, his older brother, Joe.
Martin is survived by his second wife, Catherine, and his son, Marty (Kim), his younger brother, Bob, nieces Nona and Joan, nephews Russ, Doug, Don and many of Hannah’s nieces and nephews.
We love him very much and will miss him always. May he rest in peace.