GENE MARTIN
1956 - 1986
STATION AGENT, SENIOR STATION AGENT, STATION MANAGER
OLF MLS BIL 


I was with Frontier from Apr 56 to Aug 86 working at the OLF, MLS and BIL stations. 
After Frontier was shut down I went to work for Continental until Jun 94 at which time I took retirement. 
We keep ourselves busy during the summer months traveling, fishing and camping. 
My wife, Carolyn, and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in Apr of this year.
An event I will never forget is the crash of DC3 flight 32 at Miles City, MT. on March 12, 1964.
I was Station Manager and working that evening. 
My agent Gayle Bussinger was on board flight 32 returning from Billings. 
The time of the crash was at 8:50PM or very close to that and the site was about I 1/2 miles from the runway. 
The area consisted of rolling hills and ground transportation was difficult 
therefore the crash site was not found until around midnight. 
My last contact with Flight 32 was at 8:47PM after giving him a local traffic check and 
since the wind was blowing 20 gust to 30 knots I asked him if he wanted the rudder lock 
on the runway and replied "Yes", which was acknowledge at 8:47PM. 
I then got prepared to take the rudder lock out to meet the fight. 
A light snow shower was passing through the area at this time. 
After waiting for about 5 minutes I got out of my car and went back into the station 
to determine where he was because he should have been on the ground by now. 
I could not get an answer from him on the radio and the Flight Service Station was not getting a response either. 
I then initiated an "overdue flight" emergency procedure. 
I was kept on the phone until the aircraft was located which was around midnight. 
After the wreckage was spotted I notified the local sheriffs to secure the area until the investigators arrive. 
A DC3 with company officials, FAA and CAB investigators arrived Miles City around 3:30AM. 
Elton Snoke and Carl Foster arrived on this flight. 
After my first flight out that morning they advised me to go home and get some rest. 
I did but after several phone calls I decide to go back to the airport. 
Moe Osborne was relief agent in our area so he was brought in to help. 
Red Barringer, on station leave at this time, accepted to return to work. 
Getting an experienced agent was very much appreciated. 
The tail section bearing the number N61442 was the only recognizable piece of the aircraft at its final resting place. 
The right wing was on a hill side about ¼ mile west. 
Probable cause, per the CAB was "The descent below obstructing terrain, 
for reasons undeterminable, during an instrument approach in adverse weather conditions".
May they rest in peace.
-Gene Martin 
(1/31/02)

Hi Gene,
I found your account of the MLS accident very interesting.
Tex Searle sent me a copy of the CAB accident report.
It says there were five people on board.
Was that fifth person a non-rev or revenue passenger?
Would you by chance have a clipping or something with their name?
Any other info you can share about this tragedy wouldd be appreciated.
The FO was Dan Gough - his son who was born several months after the crash has been in touch with me.
I'll send him your info.  I also plan to use it in the NEWS.
-Jake Lamkins
(2/7/02)

Hi Jake,
The fifth passenger was a revenue passenger from Columbus, No. Dak. 
that was on board the fatal aircraft accident at Miles City.  
I will run a copy of the article that appeared in the Miles City Star after the accident 
to you that gives a pretty good description of the accident.  
I will try and get that in the mail soon.  
-Gene Martin
(2/12/02)

Thanks, Gene.
I appreciate it very much.
I'm looking forward to seeing the copy.
Dan Gough's son appreciated your account too.
-Jake Lamkins
(2/12/02)

Jake,
The news articles appeared in the Miles City Star.  
The captain, Ken Huber was born and raised at Plevna, Montana 
which is located about 75 miles east,  southeast of Miles City, Montana.  
Got any more questions, please feel free to ask.  
Thanks
-Gene Martin
(2/26/02)     

Gene Martin (wife: Carolyn)
2110 Cullin Ct
Billings, MT 59102
(406) 259-6510
E-Mail:	GenCarMar@aol.com
My date of hire was April 6, 1956 and I was with FAL until the end - August 15, 1986. 
I started as an Agent in OLF from April, ‘56 to March, 1958 then became Manager. 
Moved to MLS as Manager in December of 1963 and stayed until March, 1970 when I came to Billings. 
I was an Agent for two years then a Senior Agent until the end. 
After FAL I worked at Continental as a supervisor until my retirement in June 1994.
-2003 BIL Reunion booklet
(5/13/05)

I was visiting with Gene Martin, a long time senior agent in BIL and manager at MLS. 
Gene was on the night the DC-3 was flying below the terrain.  
Us agents what worked with Gene have heard from him personal things that never showed up in company or FAA reports. 
If you think that Gene's rememberances of this might be of interest to the readers.  
A request from you for his views would be all that he would need.  
Gene's health is failing and much of his time is spent on his computer.  
Gene's address is gencarmar@bresnan.net.  Just an idea. 
-Ron Huet   
(3/9/06)

Thanks for the tip, Ron.
I'll email him.
You probably have some good stories yourself.
Why don't you put soimething together too?
-Jake Lamkins
(3/10/06)

Hi Gene,
I've been encouraging "oldtimers" to write about their FL careers.
I know you had some varied and incredible experiences during your years with FL.
If you feel like it, I would love to have a write-up from you 
about your FL life that I could use in the newsletter.
-Jake Lamkins
(3/10/06)

I noticed in the Billings Gazette this morning, that Gene Martin has died.  
He was 77.  
-Darrell Robson
(1/31/07)

OBITUARY
Eugene Francis Martin    
12/31/1929 - 1/30/2007
Eugene Francis Martin passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2007, at the age of 77.
Eugene "Gene" was born on Dec. 31, 1929, in Lefor, N.D., 
and was the third of seven children born to Nick and Rose Martin. 
He was raised on the family farm near Lefor, 
and attended grade school and high school at St. Elizabeth School, graduating in 1948. 
He then attended Dickinson State Teachers College 
and graduated from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton.
Eugene met Caroline Marie Tormaschy in the spring of 1948 
and they were married on April 22, 1952, in St. Phillips Church in Hirschville, N.D. 
They were married for 53 years.
In 1955, Gene started his career in the airline industry with Frontier Airlines in Wolf Point. 
He was then transferred to Miles City as station manager from 1962 until 1970, 
when he was later transferred to Billings. 
He continued his career with Frontier Airlines until they ceased operations in 1986. 
He then worked for Continental Airlines until his retirement in June of 1994. 
Eugene also had several successful side-businesses: 
"Miles Trophy House" and "The Rusty Nail Frame Shop." 
Gene and Caroline enjoyed bowling and playing cards with their friends on the weekends.
During their retirement years, Gene and Caroline enjoyed camping and fishing throughout Montana. 
They were members of the Big Sky Polka Club, where Gene was the Secretary-Treasurer for several years, 
and they were also members of the Moose Lodge.
Eugene is survived by his four sons, Duane (Cari) Martin, Gerald (Patty) Martin, 
Dennis (Mary Beth) Martin and Dwight (Vickie) Martin, all of BillingsT; 
and one daughter, Geraldine Lucht (Robin) of Helena; 
10 grandchildren, Kim, Jacee, Aaron, Kevin, Brad, Jennell, Nathan, Tyler, Jason and Alecia; 
seven great-grandchildren, Michaela, Savannah, Dustin, Deetra, Thomas, Adam and Jordan. 
He is also survived by his two brothers, Raymond (Johanna) Martin of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 
and Nick (Evie) Martin of Grand Junction, Colo. 
Eugene is preceded in death by his wife, Caroline; parents Nick and Rose Martin; 
three sisters, Louise Kirschenheiter, Loretta Krug and Viola Kopp; and one brother, Jerome Martin.
Dad, Grandpa & Great-Grandpa:
You will be forever in our hearts! We love you and will miss you greatly!
Visitation will begin 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. 
Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. 
Funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. 
Rite of Committal will follow at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the St. Thomas Catholic Church Renovation Fund.
-http://www.legacy.com/billingsgazette/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=86227292
-Billings Gazette on 2/1/2007.  

Do you have Gene telephone #. Would like to give his wife a call....
Thanks,
-Marv Pester
(2/2/07)

Caroline, (Gene's wife) passed away about a year ago from cancer. 
I'm not sure what all of Gene's problems were, 
but I do know that he's been on O2 for quite some time.
-Darrell Robson
(2/2/07)

Thanks, I appreciate your follow throught. 
Been out of touch with the old Frontier Family and was sad to hear about Gene and Caroline.
Thanks again,
-Marv Pester
(2/3/07)

Thanks so very much for keeping us all informed of the FL Family.
Real shock to hear about both Gene Martin and Marty Martin.
-Red Barringer
(7/26/07)