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STEUBENVILLE -- The Steubenville Art Association lost one of its valued members earlier this year.
A man who was a "talented artist," and someone who was "especially, a friend to everyone."
SAA President Judy Schmidt stated, "We have had to say goodbye to our friend and colleague, Bob Martin. But we are determined his art will continue to live on in his hometown area."
Members have been doing their best to see to it that her words are being met with action. Schmidt stated the art association was happy to receive several prints of Martin's paintings, following his death on April 4.
Following his death and after careful consideration, members decided who should be the ones to enjoy each Martin's paintings.
Martin painted Edwin M. Stanton giving the medal of honor to William Pittenger of Civil War fame. Pittenger was one of the Andrew's Raiders who stole a train in Georgia.
Had that mission been successful, it would have ended the Civil War before many of people had been killed.
Pittenger, a resident of Jefferson County, along with his crew, were the first to receive the medal of honor for their part in the Andrew's Raid.
The print was donated to the Fort Steuben Visitor Center, Schmidt stated.
Martin painted Salvatore Giunta receiving the medal of honor award from President Barack Obama in 2010.
This was the first medal of honor awarded to a living recipient since the Vietnam War, Schmidt cited. Giunta was honored for his heroism in Afghanistan in 2007. Despite receiving effective fire, Giunta overtook two enemy combatants who were carrying a wounded fellow soldier and engaged one at close range, killing him and causing the others to flee, dropping the injured soldier.
Giunta began immediate first aid and prepared the soldier for medical evacuation. Martin's print of Giunta was donated to the Jefferson County Democratic Headquarters.
Schmidt explained Martin loved the Jefferson County Airpark, having painted several pieces which included airplanes and pilots. These prints were donated to the airport.
"He painted aviation legend, R.A. (Bob) Hoover," Schmidt said. "Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor and record-setting air show aviator. He flew Spitfires in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and was shot down in 1944 off the coast of France."
"He was held in a German POW camp for a year before he escaped in a stolen enemy aircraft to safety," Schmidt continued to explain. "He flew chase for Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1 supersonic flight in 1947 and taught flight during the Korean War. He was an air show display pilot for 50 years, referred to as the 'pilot's pilot' and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Aerospace Walk of Honor."
Hoover died in 2016 at the age of 94.
Martin painted the Teramana Cancer Center building in Steubenville.
These prints were donated to the staff "of a remarkable place that has saved many lives," Schmidt concluded.
"When they hang Bob's art, they will save the life of the artwork of the remarkable Bob Martin. May Bob's talent live on and on," she said.