Richard Lee Martin passed this life on February 11, 2023. Richard was born on February 27, 1944 in Wichita, Kansas. He was the youngest of three children born to Raymond and Calmary (Foote) Martin. Richard was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is a 1962 graduate of Wichita East High School. Richard received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967 from Wichita State University. While at Wichita State University, he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
After graduation, Richard was employed at Sedgwick County Juvenile Court as a juvenile probation officer. In 1973 he moved to Topeka, Kansas and began working for the Kansas Parole Board. He was employed by the Governor’s Commission on Criminal Administration, Deputy Director of Corrections. Richard retired as assistant director at the Topeka Correctional Facility, Kansas Department of Correctional. After his retirement, he served as a trustee of the Kelly Juvenile Detention Center and was employed part-time in the kinesiology department at Washburn University.
Richard married Rosilyn Marie James of Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 29, 1980. Of this union, one son, Byron James Martin, was born in Topeka, Kansas.
As an adult, Richard converted to Catholicism and is a member of the Mater Dei (Holy Name) Parish Catholic Church. He was a more than fifty-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, served as a Polemarch, and remained an active member of the Topeka Alumni Chapter until his death. The Kappa Alpha Psi Topeka Chapter presented him with a plaque “In appreciation of his service and dedication to ACHIEVEMENT in EVERY FIELD of HUMAN EFFORT” “with sincere gratitude and everlasting love” “PHI NU PI”. He was a member of the U.S. and Central States Assistant Warden Associations and received the Topeka Correctional Facility Warden’s Commendation Award.
Richard is preceded in death by both parents; brother, Melvin Martin, and sister, Marva Jo Martin.
Richard’s memory will forever be cherished by his wife, Rosilyn James-Martin, and son, Byron James Martin, both of Topeka, Kansas; nephews, nieces, other relatives and close friends.
A private ceremony will be conducted by the Topeka Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at the Bowser Johnson Funeral Chapel. No visits. A Christian burial mass will be private at the Mater Dei parish Catholic church. Burial will be done privately in Topeka, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship Fund. Send contributions to Kappa Alpha Psi, PO Box 2565, Topeka, Kansas 66601.
Published online February 21, 2023
Published in Topeka Capital Journal
