Martin George Robl, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D, died on Dec. 31. Born to George and Loretta Robl in Ellinwood, he was the youngest of four children, ‘Sonny’. He met the love of his life, Rosalie ‘his’ Darling Hochanadel in 1957, and they were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1960. They celebrated 54 years of marriage together.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas J. and Shirley Robl of Leesburg, Va.; his daughter and son-in-law, Denise M. and Michael Cunningham of Bristow, Va.; his daughter, Michelle R. Robl of Bristow, Va.; his grandchildren, Danielle R. Cunningham, Sean M. Cunningham, and Ryan P. Cunningham of Bristow, Va.; his step-granddaughter Nicole Reosti of Leesburg, Va.; his sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Wayne Willson of Weatherford, Okla.; his brothers, Vernon and Raymond Robl of Ellinwood; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
He graduated from Ellinwood High School, attended Fort Hays State University in Hays for Pre-Veterinary Medicine, and then received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in Manhattan. He then received his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science, with a minor in Human Pathology, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc.
He served his country in the United States Army. He was a Past Grand Knight and member of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus.
He dedicated his personal life to the love and care of his family. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend – he could always be relied upon.
He dedicated his career to research and teaching veterinary medicine, even teaching veterinary medicine in Nigeria, Africa in the late 1960’s. He worked for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, College Park, Maryland, and then lastly for United States Government Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, retiring after 27 years, where he served as the Veterinary Pathologist, Veterinary Medical Officer, Attending Veterinarian for OARSA, at which time full AAALAC accreditation was received. He wrote and contributed to numerous publications and abstracts. He received the Distinguished Service Award in 2012 from CFSASN IACU, the CFSAN Distinguished Career Service Award from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in 2014, and the FDA Distinguished Career Service Award from the Commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration in 2014.
After an eight month battle with esophageal cancer, numerous treatments, complications and hospitalizations, he died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, Va. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas,Va., with the Rev. John Melmer as the Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to KOVAR (Knights of Virginia Assisting Retardation).
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 7, 2015**
Martin George Robl, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D. 1939 - 2014