Martin N Kellogg

Kellogg, Martin N. Age 88, of St. Paul

Martin passed away peacefully Thursday, March 21, 2019. His lifelong passions spanned family, canoeing, business, conservation, law, politics, and community service. Martin attended Central High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1953 with degrees in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration, which were soon followed by a master’s degree in Accounting and Economics. He then joined the Marine Corps in 1954, where he served as Captain. He married Esther Swanson in 1956.

Following military service, Martin worked in several construction and accounting firms before becoming Vice President and Treasurer of Tennant Company. While at Tennant, Martin attended evening classes to obtain a degree in law from the William Mitchell College of Law. In 1983, he joined UFE Incorporated, an international manufacturer of precision molded plastics, where he eventually became President, CEO and co-owner. Martin also served on the boards of many other companies.

Throughout his career, Martin was committed to community service. He was a church elder, served on the Metropolitan Council, chaired the Associates of the James Ford Bell Library at the University of Minnesota, co-founded CCHF a healthcare policy organization, and was appointed by several governors to serve on public policy committees. Martin’s business, legal and political skills, combined with his willingness to build friendships and to work across political lines made him an effective advocate for many issues and concerns.

A love of the outdoors motivated Martin to work tirelessly throughout his life to conserve wilderness for future generations. Beginning in 1963, Martin helped lead the effort to establish Voyageur’s National Park, and he served for over 50 years as a founder and member of the VNP Association. He also worked closely with the Minnesota Parks & Trails Council for as many years, and he served on the boards of numerous other conservation groups, including the Nature Conservancy, Carpenter Nature Center, Listening Point Foundation, and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Martin inspired many, and taught by example kindness, devotion, generosity, humility, humor, service and love of family. He is survived by wife Esther; children Joe (Joanne), Doug (Needhi), Bill (Jennifer) and Jeannine; and grandchildren Sarah, Ian, Ben, Erik, Sam, Elias and Kiran and sister, Christine.

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 11, from 5-7 PM at O’Halloran and Murphy, 575 Snelling Ave. South, St. Paul. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 12, at 11 AM at Hope Presbyterian Church, 7132 Portland Avenue in Richfield with a visitation 1 hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in support of any of the many charitable organizations with which Martin worked or to the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, 275 4th St. E #250, St. Paul 55101. The family gives special thanks to the caregivers of Touching Hearts (Bloomington) and The Waters (Highland Park).

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