Parents Father: MARTIN, John Ambrose Mother: CARTER, Carolyn Margaret Birth Born on September 27, 1916 in Barada, Richardson Co., NE Death Died on May 27, 1996 in Chico, Butte Co., CA Buried in Columbarium of the Community Church of the Rockies in Estes Park, Larimer Co.CO Marriages FISHER, Bonita J. Married on June 04, 1955 in Sterling, Logan Co., CO Notes Obituary: Phil was born in Barada, Nebraska to John A. and Caroline M. Martin. He was the second of two children, the eldest being his sister Florence. Phil grew up in Falls City, Nebraska. Phil's father was a professional photographer in Falls City. Tragically, he drowned in an accident when Phil was 13. After the death of her husband, Phil's mother took over the photography business. She also earned a teaching certificate to help support her family. Phil attended Colorado A&M (subsequently Colorado State University) where he played varsity football for the Rams and earned a degree in physical education. After college he served on active duty in the US Army Air Corp from 1942-46. After being discharged he re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserves where he served until his retirement in 1963 retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1950 Phil was hired as a school teacher in Sterling, Colorado. In 1955, he was hired to teach in the Estes Park, Colorado Elementary School. Initially, he taught first grade and fifth grade but later became a coach and physical education instructor. One of the highlights of Phil's teaching career was his all-school "Tumbling Circus". It was during these events that Phil demonstrated his ability to ride a uni-cycle. In 1975 he retired from teaching and was honored with the Lawrence W. Thomas Award honoring him as the teacher of year in the Park R-3 School District. While Phil had an outstanding career in the Estes Park school system, and was a friend and mentor to hundreds of students., he will be best remembered as "Casey", conductor, engineer, and ticketmaster for the Silver Streak Railroad, also known as Casey's Train. Phil began this summer business on Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park in 1947. Each summer hundreds of children and adults would ride Casey's "little train" on its 1/2 track along the Big Thompson River. The trip was magical as it passed through Lollipopland, passed the "captured" Japanese submarine that came up the Big Thompson River, and Trout Haven, visited Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Three Little Pigs and journeyed through Little Miss Muffet's tunnel. All the while, Casey was talking to his passengers and reciting his lyrical rhymes about travel on his railroad. Casey retired from his railroad career in 1972. However, the Casey's Train lives on at Estes Park Ride-A-Kart. In the years following his retirement from the Silver Streak Railroad and from teaching, he worked as a seasonal ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of his favorite assignments was working the Aspenglen Campground which he loving referred to as "Aspergum". While working the campground he made many new friends and encountered many old ones whom he referred to as "graduates of the little train". In 1982, Phil was unanimously selected for inclusion in the Estes Park Hall of Fame. He was the second person so honored. At the induction ceremony he was presented with a bronze plaque depicting Casey and his "little train". Phil is survived by a daughter, Pamela Martin Petty (Manson) of Corning, California and three grand children, Kourtney, Zane and Shyanne. Military Service: WW2 US Army Air Corps/ USAF Reserves Lieutenant Colonel Occupation: Teacher - Owner Silver Streak Railroad in Estes Park Images Phillip Martin Phillip Martin Marriage Phillip Martin