Ralph Martin

Ralph E. Martin was born in Kenna, New Mexico, on June 28, 1931. His family moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in 1941, where he attended Eureka Springs High School until his graduation in 1947. Upon graduation, Ralph joined the Army and proudly served two and a half years in Japan during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Army, he enrolled in the University of Arkansas through the GI Bill, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1958. He was awarded an academic scholarship allowing him to complete a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1960. Though not a perfect student, his score cards were marked with “excellent” potential for success. Following graduation, Ralph moved his family to Tyler, Texas, where he went to work for Howe Baker Engineers. Shortly after, he worked with fellow engineer, Jack Scott, to form the company, Marsco, in 1969. In February 1981, Ralph and several former Marsco employees formed PetroFac, Inc., a full service engineering, fabrication, and construction contractor specializing in the design of hydrocarbon processing plants. The small company that Ralph began in Tyler, Texas, now employs several thousand professional staff worldwide. PetroFac has offices in London, England, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Mumbai, India, and many other countries, and has designed and built plants in over a dozen foreign countries. Ralph served as the CEO of PetroFac from 1981 until 2004. After 2004, he continued to serve on the board of directors. Ralph served on several committees including the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Advisory Council, the University of Arkansas Chancellor’s Advisory Board, the University of Texas at Tyler Engineering Advisory Board, and the UTHSCT Development Board and Executive Committee. He was inducted into the University of Arkansas Engineering Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also an inaugural inductee in the Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers in 2005. Ralph was also the founder of Eagles Bluff Country Club, Bullard, Texas. Ralph’s success was coupled with his unselfish and humble nature. Ralph made many charitable donations to the community. Of note, he established the Ralph Martin/PetroFac Engineering Fund and Ralph Martin Engineering Scholarship at UT Tyler, and the Martin Academic Enrichment Fund Endowment at the University of Arkansas. In honor of his generous gift, the department was named the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering. Ralph left us with many wise suggestions. He summarized his principles for effective business practice stating: “Always tell the truth; understate, rather than overstate your abilities; prioritize, because all things are not equally important; and don’t forget that you can’t make a good contract with a bad person.” Ralph is survived by his wife Kathryn Martin; sister Myrah Newby; daughter Luci Martin; son and daughter-in-law Ron and Gina Martin; daughters Lori Martin, Kimberly Martin, Meredith Sieber, and their sister, Missy Martin; step children Mark, Michael Pool and wife Jazz; grandchildren Alisha and Andrew Martin, Mandy Owens, Chris Summerville, Tyler and Harley Sieber; great-grandchildren Sloan and Slater Rodberg and Sophia Baker; as well as many friends and loved-ones. Pallbearers include son Ron Martin, step-sons Michael and Mark Pool, Arnold Wharton, Randal Brooks, Fred Nichols, Ken Threlkeld, David Bush, Steve King, Mike Breedlove, Greg Hendrickson, Louis Owen and Ty Beard. Honorary pallbearers include grandsons Andrew Martin, Chris Summerville, and Tyler Sieber, great-grandsons Slater and Sloan Rodberg, Ross “Buddy” Bozeman, Maroun Semaan, Ayman Asfari, Wilburn Gray, Boyd Hamilton, David Moore, Bill Fisher, Archie Ryan, and all of his friends of the S.P.S. Ralph passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2011 in the presence of his family. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Lanes Chapel, with services on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Lou Thomas officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Ralph would prefer donations be made to the following charities: Boys and Girls Club of East Texas, 504 W. 32nd Street, Tyler, TX 75702; East Texas Crisis Center, 2026 Republic Drive, Tyler, TX 75701; Ralph E. Martin Endowment Fund for Lighthouse for Christ Mission, P.O. Box 8318, Tyler, TX 75701; or the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701.

Ralph Martin

June 28, 1931 - February 19, 2011