Robert D. Martin attended the University of Washington, where he began rowing, but his education was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Navy and saw action in the Pacific Theatre. After the war he returned to the University of Washington and made the 1948 coxed fours team with his teammates. Martin was a member of both the University of Washington JV 8 and 1948 Olympic U.S.A. rowing teams. University of Washington Crew won the 1948 Olympics gold medal in the Four with Coxswain. Robert D. Martin rowed in the 3-seat in the Olympics event at London.
The crew stayed close over the years and purchased a small island in the Octopus Islands in British Columbia, Canada, where they spent many summer vacations. Martin's career after college was in the timber industry, spending over 30 years with Weyerhaeuser, where he worked until his retirement in 1982 as Vice-President of Special Products.
Sources:
"1940-1949" Washington Rowing. Accessed: March 2024, https://washingtonrowing.com/history/mens-history/1940-1949/
"Robert Doud Martin" Olympics. Accessed: March 2024, https://olympics.com/en/athletes/robert-doud-martin
Family home movies of camping trips and picnics, a Sophomore Carnival parade on the University of Washington quad, crew rowing practices, and the 1948 Olympics rowing competitions.
Digital access copies of the films are available in the Reading Room.
Open to all users.
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Donated by David Koste via Michael Callahan, UW Crew, 2024-01-25
Picnic scenes, winter/Christmas; spring flowers
15:10; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_01
Picnic and camping scenes; water sports
9:45; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_02
Waterskiing; playing in snow; volleyball; Sophomore Carnival parade on UW quad; Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library; track meet
16:00; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_03
Dogs in snow; lumber, boating
8:58; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_04
Scenes from aboard ship; Statue of Liberty; British street scenes; rowing practice; Paris
20:25; Black and white, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_05
XIV Olympics; aboard ship; Finnamore Wood Camp; London, Olympic team rowing practice
17:00; Color/Black and white, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_06
Summer rowing practice, beach scenes
16:30; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_07
Toddler by the Christmas tree
2:13; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_08
Bathing baby in sink
2:16; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_09
Cattle; horseback riding; family scenes at home
2:14; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_10
Rodeo parade
2:07; Color, no sound
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_11
Rodeo
2:13; Color, no sound; included note: "R.D. Martin, 29 Lagoon Lane N. Tacoma 99, Wash"
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_12
Baby
2:14; Color, no sound; included note "R.D. Martin, 29 Lagoon Lane N. Tacoma 99, Wash."
Digital access file: wauar_6494-001-martinOlympicRowing_13