CHICKASHA —
There was something missing when the Chickasha High School football team took the field against Anadarko on Sept. 7 for the season opener.
The players were on the field, and the fans were in the stands, and there was even a voice on the PA system. But it wasn't the same.
That's because Bob Martin, the voice of the Chickasha High School football and basketball for years upon years, wasn't there.
Martin was battling cancer for some time, and passed away on the night of Sept. 12, 2012, the week of Chickasha High School football homecoming. Martin was honored before the homecoming game with a moment of silence.
He left behind family, friends, and many lives touched and sporting events livened up by his unique, classic broadcasting voice and his shining personality and smile.
As well known as he was in the community, Martin was a man who took care of his family to the best of his ability, said Tandi Carlile, one of his grandchildren.
"He was like super-grandpa," Carlile said. "He was the person in our family that we called if we needed something, whether it was something little like picking up the kids, or taking someone to the doctor, or for advice, or for help. He was pretty much the rock in our family. He was the go-to person.
Former USAO and Chickasha High School head baseball coach L.J. Powell was close friends with Martin, and said his upbeat demeanor was a constant.
"Bob always had a smile," Powell said. "He always had something comical to say. He was an individual that loved life."
Not only was Martin a pleasure to be around, but he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Powell recalled when he first began coaching at USAO, the Drovers needed someone to work the PA system, and Martin agreed to do it until they could find a permanent replacement.
"Bob was that kind of person," Powell said. He was always ready to help. He'll be sorely missed, especially by the athletes."
As well known as he was for his broadcasting, a stint in the nursing home business led him to meet his wife, Linda, at a class in Norman. They got married in Las Vegas in 1977.
Beginning long before he was a fixture in the Chickasha community, Martin had an illustrious broadcasting career of more than 50 years, starting with a job at a military base radio station in Guam.
He worked for radio stations in Arkansas and Oklahoma as well, doing news mostly, until he broke into sports broadcasting with the old 89ers baseball team as their play-by-play man.
In the 80s, Martin worked for KRPT in Anadarko doing morning news, but continued to be involved in sports by videotaping high school games and wiring up the radio broadcasters.
He went to work for KWCO in Chickasha in 1988 replacing their former news broadcaster, and also worked as a sideline reporter for Chickasha High School games.
That eventually led him to the job he would do for most of the rest of his life, working as the public address announcer for Chickasha High School football and basketball games. He replaced Darrell Harms upon his retirement.
Anyone who has been to a Fightin' Chicks basketball game can clearly hear Martin rolling the 'r' when announcing a Chickasha "Thhhrrrrrrreeee!". That became a trademark for him over the years.
Carlile said the response she got from the community after Martin passed showed what he meant to the people of Grady County.
" It's overwhelming how many people messaged us and told us how much they missed him and how good he was," Carlile said.
Martin's voice won't be heard over the PA system anymore, but the impact of his life and work won't soon be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
