VIENNA — David Martin, 78, of Vienna, who served as the second elected Maries County coroner for 50 years, has retired.

Martin submitted his retirement letter to the county commissioners during their Aug. 24 meeting. The commissioners accepted his resignation and recommended Amanda Sandbothe, public administrator and deputy coroner, to take his place.

During the meeting, Willie Harlow, president of the Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association, gave Martin an award celebrating the 50-year milestone. Judy Honse, former Maries County assessor, also handed Martin a card.

“He served Maries County well,” said Vic Stratman, presiding commissioner.

Martin’s family and most of the county elected officials joined Martin for a retirement party in the upstairs of the courthouse.

Martin retired because his goal was to serve for 50 years. He said that his reason for not finishing the nearly 2 ½ years left on his term is how the world has changed, such as technology or “dealing with the public.” He believes that with cell phones, computers and other technological advancements, a younger person can work more efficiently than he can.

“There’s more happening. I think a younger person is more adept at getting things done,” he said.

Martin was born in 1948 in Waynesville, shortly after his father returned from World War II and was hired at Fort Leonard Wood. His parents, who owned property in Maries County, eventually moved and raised Martin in the county.

After graduating from Dixon R-1 School in 1966, he earned his associate degree in business administration in 1970 from Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University). Martin was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970 and served at the Ascom Depot in South Korea.

Returning to Missouri in 1972, Martin married Gloria Martin and moved to Kentucky for two years for mortuary school at the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science (now Mid-America College of Funeral Service).

After graduating, Carl Birmingham, Maries County coroner from 1948-76, hired Martin at the Birmingham Funeral Home in Vienna.

Birmingham died of a heart attack in July 1976, and Martin received recommendations from the Democratic and Republican committees for the position of coroner. Gov. Christopher Bond appointed Martin into the position on Aug. 24, 1976, exactly 50 years before he retired.

Throughout his tenure, Martin said that the biggest highlight of his career has been seeing the tasks of the job be completed. Sandbothe added helping families as another highlight. Martin believes that he hasn’t had more than five complaints over the past 50 years. For him, the role of coroner is important because he assures the public that he will investigate a death to determine what happened, whether that’s a murder, homicide, drug overdose or another reason.

“The family knows more and knows what’s going on, rather than just the death having occurred,” he said.

Martin believes that the two most serious cases during his tenure were the murders of the Sheriff Roy Bassett and the Brouk family. During these situations, Martin provided the county with the equipment, the transport, the cots and the gurneys.

“I just tried to provide everything that was needed,” he said.

According to a Jan. 31, 2017, CBS News article, Mark Christeson and his cousin Jesse Carter on Feb. 1, 1998, killed Susan Brouk and her children Adrian, 12, and Kyle, 9, at a pond near Vichy.

Bassett died Sept. 23, 1994, after being shot while backing up a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer, who was investigating a minor crash, in which he found a gun clip.

Because the sheriff died, Martin also had to take over Bassett’s duties, according to Revised State Statute 58.200, such as re-swearing in all the deputies.

Martin said in these scenarios, the emergency dispatcher only knew that the coroner was needed, affecting his preparation.

“So regardless of the circumstances, you had to prepare yourself mentally in preparation for what you had to take care of,” he said.

Martin said that the biggest lessons he has learned are that the world isn’t perfect and that no two situations are the same.

Sandbothe explained that proper examination documentation and not making fast assumptions are important. For example, a person who died in bed may initially look like a heart attack victim, but petechiae in the eyes may indicate suffocation.

Martin’s advice to the younger generation is to stay informed as the profession changes, including the annual continuing education requirement, and to cooperate with other agencies like medical examiners and law enforcement.

“Do your best to get along with everyone that’s involved,” he said.

As Sandbothe continues in Martin’s place, he feels “the best,” believing that she can work more efficiently, finding information more quickly.

“I’m very confident that Amanda Sandbothe will be able to fulfill this job with great expertise,” he said.