Obituary of Martin S. Gmelin

PENFIELD - Martin Stephen Gmelin “Marty” age 56 passed away suddenly, in Fairfield, Idaho on April 8, 2023. Marty was having fun with his many friends celebrating the last day of ski season.Marty grew up in Penfield, New York, and was a 1984 graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School. He studied Forestry at Paul Smith’s College and received his degree from the University of Montana at Missoula. He spent thirty years in the United States Forest Service working on the Stanislaus National Forest in California, as well as in Missoula, Montana and last few years as District Ranger on the Sawtooth National Forest in Fairfield, Idaho.

During these years he served in various capacities: Forestry reforestation, Certified Silvicultrist, Snow Surveying, Wildlife Fire Management, Agency Administrator for Prescribed Fire and Wildland fire and Geographic Information Specialist, providing maps related to fire activity and boundaries.

He loved his position as District Ranger and his Camas community in Fairfield, giving his time and affection at the Community Center (Meals on Wheels) and anywhere he was needed.

Marty was a happy, loving and thoughtful son, brother and friend. Everyone knew Marty by his infectious and distinctive laugh. He will be missed immensely by his parents, Donna and Robert (Lou) Gmelin, his sister, Andrea (Tom) Rivers and his beloved Aunt “Gigger” Janice (Tom) Webber and his Webber cousins. He is also survived by aunts, cousins, dear friends, Mike and Christine Dertinger and numerous friends in California, Montana and his loving Fairfield Family.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Penfield, on May 3, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Marty’s memory to the Fairfield Community Center and Immaculate Conception Church. Checks may be made payable to Susan Brown, Sawtooth National Forest, 370 American Avenue, Jerome, ID 83338.