Martin began his career in 1950 with Stifel Realty Co., formed his own firm Martin and Associates seven years later, and then went on to merge with Turley Corp. in 1972, helping found a company that would eventually become the region's largest commercial real estate firm, employing 1,300 people. Along the way, he helped revitalize the Kosciusko (on the city's south side) and Mill Creek (in the Downtown by Union Station) areas by forming syndicates to redevelop these and surrounding communities. He also was involved in developing hundreds of thousands of sf of buildings throughout the region, and he acquired significant tracts of land for major corporations and institutions, with clients such as Equitable, Southwestern Bell, First National Bank, Anheuser-Busch, Brown Group, Peabody Coal, Ralston Purina, Earth Grains and General American. "He was certainly the go-to guy for many of the area's biggest real estate developments," Burkhart says. "What he loved to do was make deals. He knew a lot of people, and many of them trusted him with significant transactions, he knew how to have a high level of confidentiality and professionalism."

One of Martin's main visions, Burkhart says, was the idea of spreading the wealth. "When Martin started in the business, most commercial companies were owned by one or two people," he says. "But when they began CTMT, they didn't want to have anyone have a controlling interest, it was five people sharing 20% of the company. Martin understood that it was important to allow people who excelled to share in the company's success, and that continues today; out of the 1,300 employees there's 130 partners, with the largest shareholder only owning about 8%. He also got the company out of being what most were in those days, very broker-centric, he knew the client was asking for more services."

Martin was also known for his community service. He served on the boards of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, International Real Estate Federation and the American Society of Real Estate Counselors, and also worked with the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Association, the United Way and the St. Louis Arts and Education Council. "He had the expectation that everyone should give back to their community, and not just the top leaders, he thought everyone should belong to their church or school boards, and he would give time off for employees to do that," Burkhart says.

Martin took on the role of chairman emeritus in 2002, and still came in every day to work until his illness started two years ago, Burkhart says. Martin is survived by Frances Martin, his wife of 47 years; his daughter, Frances Weaver; and his sons, Thomas and Theodore. Thomas leads the St. Louis office of Duke Realty, and Theodore has worked at CTMT since 1993.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 29, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, with a private interment. Memorials may be made to the church or Hope Happens (539 N. Grand Ave., St. Louis, 63103), an organization that supports research to find cures for ALS, Alzheimer's, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's and other neurological disorders.