Donald Benjamin Martin July 26, 1939 – October 20, 2021
It is with great sadness that NASBP announces the passing of long-time NASBP activist and Past President Donald Benjamin Martin, age 82, of Greeley, CO. Don had retired in July 2010 after 24 years with NASBP Member Flood and Peterson Insurance of Greeley, CO. He served as the 1999-2000 NASBP President.
Sheryll Shaw, who recently retired from NASBP Member IMA, Inc. of Denver, CO, said, “Don was the consummate professional, and he shared his expertise and wisdom with many, even competitors–all in the spirit of strengthening the advocacy and reach of the surety industry. He also was a great friend, who always liked to have a great time or share a funny story. He loved his family, many friends, the Colorado Rockies, and University of Colorado Buffaloes. He will certainly be missed!”
NASBP Past President William F. Maroney, Vice President of NASBP Member C & H Agency Inc., Totowa, NJ, said, “I am saddened by the passing of Don Martin. Our industry has lost a great champion and leader. My recollections of Don are him as a solid leader and standard bearer of the surety business. He was always quick with a smile and a kind word. He will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to his friends and family–may he rest in peace.”
At the time of Don’s NASBP presidency, Y2K was a concern because of the potential computer errors related to the formatting and storage of calendar data for dates in and after the year 2000. In addition, NASBP spent a lot of time educating stakeholders and members about the differences between surety bonds and subcontractor default insurance (SDI) and about how surety bonds are superior to SDI. His theme for his Annual Meeting was “Y2K and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium.”
The Annual Meeting was held at The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, FL. Dr. Bill Bennett, a former Secretary of Education under President George H.W. Bush, was the keynote speaker. Years later Don recalled, “At the conclusion of the 2000 NASBP Annual Meeting, the gavel was passed to the incoming president, and I enjoyed a short trip to Key West for some well-deserved R&R.” After Don retired from the agency, he stayed in touch with other NASBP Past Presidents and for years attended the Past Presidents’ dinner at the NASBP Annual Meeting.
Don graduated in 1965 from the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in Business and Mathematics. He was employed by Aetna Casualty & Surety for 20 years in its offices located in St. Louis, MO; Denver, CO; and Springfield, MO. In 1985, Don joined E.F. Hutton, where he was a stockbroker, before joining Flood and Peterson in May 1986 as Surety Bond Manager.
Don is preceded in death by his parents and former wife, Ann Martin. He is survived by his former wife, Jeannette Sears; two daughters: Cydney Martin of Greeley, CO and Mary Pat Shibuya of Portland, OR; and two granddaughters.
In abiding with Don’s wishes, no funeral services will be held. Anyone can reach out to his daughters: Cydney Martin, 2548 15th Avenue Court, Greeley, CO 80631 and Mary Pat Shibuya, 15292 NW Nightshade Drive, Portland, OR 97229. The family requests that charitable donations be made in Don’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in support of research to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
View the online obituary and share a memory with Don’s family.
NASBP’s Leadership and staff extend their deepest and sincere condolences to Don’s family and friends.
