Robert “Bob” Martinez, a low-key state legislator who served for 20 years and was an advocate for Latinos, died Nov. 21. He was 73.
The Democrat, a longtime Commerce City resident, served two terms in the state House of Representatives and four terms in the Senate, leaving the Capitol in 2000 because of term limits.
He of unspecified causes.
During a 20-year legislative career, Martinez ascended to the position of chairman of the Senate Democratic caucus during a long period of Republican control. He also served as chairman of the joint Legislative Audit Committee.
He was a vocal advocate for Latinos’ electoral clout and for improvement of the educational system. He called attention repeatedly to high dropout rates in Colorado schools, especially among Latino students.
“Our parents were migrants, and they pushed us all to be educated, to become leaders not followers,” said Angel Marie Sanchez, Martinez’s sister.
He also at times took to the Senate floor to speak out about incidents tarnishing Latinos. That included taking exception in 1999 to an Aurora high school baseball coach’s reported comment that most of his school’s students were “Mexicans” and only wanted “to hang out in the parking lot with their gangs.”
Martinez underlined that Colorado’s Mexican-American residents took pride in their heritage — making it as difficult to turn “Mexican” into an insult as “Italian,” he said, according to the Rocky Mountain News’ account at the time.
“It was important to Bob that he be a positive role model for Mexican-Americans, especially the youth,” she said. His family also recalled Martinez’s passion for helping the elderly, veterans, children and the homeless.
One year, Martinez was in a store with son Julian when they saw some children buying food for their family alone. “He overheard them talking about how they wanted (a Sony Walkman) for Christmas,” his son recalled, but their parents couldn’t afford the gifts. Martinez walked over and bought one for each of them. “I’ll never forget it,” Julian Martinez said.
Martinez, a Colorado native, grew up as one of 10 children in tiny Holly, on the southeastern plains. Over his lifetime, he would save two members of his family from drowning.
His parents were Benito and Alfreida Martinez.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, then a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Colorado.
Martinez also was known for his subtle sense of humor. Once, he served as governor for 30 hours because of administrative changes. “He liked to say that when he was governor no taxes were raised and no riots ensued,” Sanchez said
Outside the legislature, Martinez founded the Mexican American Policy Institute and the Colorado Association of Chicanos in Higher Education.
When his final term in the Senate was up, the News noted that Martinez’s tenure was unheralded by his colleagues. He said his approach may have been under the radar, but he was able to pass an average of three bills a year as a member of the minority party.
“I’m leaving the legislature after doing what I think is a good job,” he told the newspaper. “I’m just not one to trumpet what I am and what I do.”
Martinez is survived by two sons, Julian and Gerald; three grandchildren; six siblings; and other extended family members.
A memorial Mass is set for Friday at Our Lady Mother of the Church, 6690 E. 72nd Ave. in Commerce City. A rosary at 11 a.m. will precede the 11:30 a.m. Mass.
