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Reuben D. Martel died on November 15, 2002. Mr. Martel, a resident of Albuquerque since 1955, was an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. He was born at Fort Washakie, WY on the Wind River Indian Reservation August 4, 1918. He attended boarding schools as a child and was graduated from high school at Lander, WY. He went on to study forestry at the University of Montana. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in August, 1941 and served through December of 1945. He worked 31 years for Leedshill-Herkenhoff, Inc., an Albuquerque engineering firm. Mr. Martel is survived by daughters, Joan Martel Ball of South Bend, IN, Elaine Martel, M.D. of Seattle, WA, and Julie Martel Johnson of Las Vegas, NV. Also surviving are sons-in-law, Michael Ball and Richard Peet; as well as three grandchildren, Jasper and Lily Peet-Martel and Amara Ball; surviving siblings are sisters, Catherine LaJeunesse, Doris Miller and Anita Felter, all of Fort Washakie; brother, Chris Felter of Tulsa, OK. He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine; his parents; brothers, Franklin and Joseph Martel; and sisters, Adeline Armour and Shirleen Snyder. It can be said of Reuben Martel that those who met him remember their time with him. He was an engaging and gregarious person who shared freely his knowledge, wit, and wisdom. Throughout his life, he continued to learn. Among other things, Reuben had a great knowledge of the land, of horticulture, and of Pueblo Indian culture. He read constantly to the end of his days. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved both hunting and fly fishing. Reuben truly appreciated the people in his life; in addition to many lifelong friendships, he was profoundly devoted to his wife of 39 years, Catherine; to his three daughters; and in his later years to his loving grandchildren, Jasper, Lily, and Mari. Mr. Martel's remains will be interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, January 3, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. next to those of his wife, Catherine. Memorial contributions may be made in Reuben Martel's name to the Shoshone Higher Education Program Tribal Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 628, Fort Washakie, WY 82514. Cremation arrangements by Sunrise Society of New Mexico, 891-8200.
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