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A Ditson Martin (1923 - 2004)

A Ditson (A D) Martin
Born in El Dorado, Butler Co. Kansasmap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 2 Apr 1956 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co. Kansasmap
Died at age 81 in West Virginiamap
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Obituary

A. D. MARTIN Martin A. Ditson, born October 11, 1923 in El Dorado, Kansas, and died Thursday, December 9, 2004 in West Virginia. He was 81 years old. A.D. as he was affectionately called and remembered by all who knew him had an illustrious career that spanned more than 40+ years with the Boeing Company in Wichita, New Orleans, and the Puget Sound area. Mr. Martin a native of Kansas, served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years (1944-46) before attending college. He married Doris Doornbas on April 2, 1956 in Wichita, Kansas. A graduate of Wichita University, Wichita, Kansas, Mr. Martin has been associated with Boeing since receiving his degree in 1950, virtually all the time in Quality and Reliability Assurance. Earlier, he was associated with the Douglas Aircraft Co., Tulsa Division, as supervisor of final assembly and test inspection in the production of heavy and medium bombers. During the course of his career, he has been directly involved in virtually all aspects of tooling, fabrication, assembly, test, and delivery of aircraft or space products. He began in the Wichita Division serving there as supervisor of final assembly and test in the Quality Control Department and then became supervisor of the Electronics Laboratory in the same department. Subsequent service included three years in the Pilotless Aircraft Division as superintendent of the Missile Test Unit in the Quality Control Department and two years in the Aerospace Division as chief inspector for Minuteman Fabrication, Assembly and Test before his assignment to the Launch Vehicle Branch of the Space Division. From 1962 to 1974, he served as Quality Assurance Manager when Boeing was awarded the prestigious Apollo Saturn V Contract to build the first stage rocket-the largest in the history of the United States and the world-that would take man to the moon and return him safely to the earth. A.D. successfully managed employees and work locations in three states, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida; and was required to make many critical decisions to assure total overall quality and safety of the program. A.D. was proud of his success on the Apollo Program, and felt that all employees worked diligently, and put forth energies and skills to make possible mankind's greatest expedition; that of sending three men to the moon and returning them to earth safely. A.D. was recognized for his many important contributions over the years, and was most proud of the "Snoopy Award"-a special award for outstanding achievement that was presented by the astronauts who had made the successful journey to the moon. The Apollo Program was the forerunner of the Space Shuttle Program that is now in existence. While in New Orleans, A.D. attended flight school and received his private pilot license and subsequently purchased a Cessna 180. He and his wife Doris enjoyed flying and motorhoming. When the Apollo Program concluded operations in 1974, A.D. transferred to Seattle where he served as Director of Quality Assurance for 20 years prior to his retirement in 1993. He was preceded in death by his wife of many years, Doris; his parents, Forrest and Myrtle Martin; and 2 brothers, William Martin I and Sidney Allen Martin. Survivors include a sister, Alberta Johnston, Weatherford, Oklahoma; nephew, Martin Johnston and wife Jeryl, Morgantown, West Virginia; niece, Roselind Johnston McCulley and husband Glenn, Weatherford, Oklahoma; nephew, Rick Werth, Renton, Washington; nephew, William Martin II and wife Jane, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Private family services are intended. Published in The Seattle Times on Dec. 16, 2004

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