FREDERIC RICHARD "DICK" MARTIN AGE: 73 OCEANPORT Sept. 7, 1935 – April 15,2009
Frederic Richard "Dick" Martin, 73, born on Sept. 7, 1935, of Oceanport, New
Jersey, died at home on April 15, 2009. Dick was the
founder and president of Surf Lifesaving. He founded Surf Lifesaving in 1966
out of a desire to provide more extensive lifeguard training along the Jersey Shore.
Dick had served as an English teacher at Red Bank Regional High School
for twenty-five years and also coached football and swimming at the high
school. His boys' swimming team won two State Championships in 1975 and 1983
and the girls' and boys' teams won 270 meets during his nearly twenty years as
the Head Swimming Coach. The girls' swimming team was runner-up in the State
Championships for ten years in a row. During the years of 1972-75, the girls'
team held the longest winning streak of any varsity team at Red Bank Regional
at the time - 33 meets. Dick's freshmen football record at Red Bank was 74
wins, 9 losses and 2 ties (with 50 shut outs).
Dick worked summers as a lifeguard since 1951 and continued to guard and manage
various beaches throughout the summer of 2008. He guarded at many beach clubs
and beaches along the Monmouth
County shore throughout
his life. In 1961, he became the lifeguard captain at Takanassee Beach Club,
where he stayed until 1982. His lifeguards at Takanassee were legendary for
their victories in many lifeguard tournaments. His guards at Takanassee
included Jonty Skinner, world record holder in the 100 meter freestyle; Mark
Tonelli, silver medalist in the 1976 Olympics; and John Cannon, nine year
veteran defensive end of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Tak lifeguard team's
victories include the Nassau County Championships, as well as the East Coast Championships.
Moreover, Dick was the captain of the 1983 Monmouth County Team that won the
National Lifeguard Championships. While at Takanassee, Dick was the supervisor
of the Sea Bright
Beaches in 1965-66 and the Long Branch Beaches from 1965-68. During these
years, the Surf Lifesaving Lifeguard Training Clinic began. Dick was the first
to implement the teaching of CPR and First Aid - before they became state
requirements. Additionally, Dick worked with state legislatures and helped to
promulgate Water Safety regulations. Working for many area attorneys, Dick has
been an expert witness on aquatic cases since 1981. A Peddie Prep School and
Lafayette College graduate, Dick went on to serve as a Drill Instructor in the
United States Marine Corps from 1956 through 1959 and as an officer in the
Marine Corps Reserves until 1966.
Along with his lifeguarding, coaching and teaching duties, Dick had also been
an avid participant in sports. He played football for the NY Giants in 1960. He
played semi-pro ball for the NJ Generals from 1963-65. However, rowing was his
passion. He participated in 19 "Jack Wright" marathon
