Marty Letscher

May 15, 2020

Martin Letscher, 84, of West Hartford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2020. A burial service will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Marty was born in Warren, Ohio the son of Harry and Mary Letscher. He married Barbara Thomas, the love of his life, in Warren, Ohio in 1958; they were devoted to each other in marriage of nearly 62 years. Marty was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, James Letscher, John Letscher and Mary Anne Lesti. Marty earned a ROTC scholarship which enabled him to attend the University of Notre Dame. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1958 and was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps. Following his discharge in 1961, he moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where he and Barbara raised their five children, and he began a career in market research at S.C. Johnson & Son where he worked for more than 20 years. After two more moves, Marty and Barbara settled in River Forest, Illinois, where Marty finished his career after running his own successful market research consulting firm. Marty and Barbara enjoyed their retirement, their passion in retirement was travelling the world; by last count, they visited 25 countries. Marty and Barbara attended different high schools and met as teenagers at Junior Achievement; they continued dating long distance throughout college, then getting married after graduation. While raising five children Marty and Barbara somehow found time to start the Racine Montessori School, which continues to thrive today. Marty was incredibly proud of his 5 children, their spouses and his 13 grandchildren, or as he would say 13 ‘perfect’ grandchildren. Whichever one he was with at that time was always his favorite, and his nickname for all of them was ‘George.’ Marty was a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather, who with Barbara have a legacy to be proud of. Marty is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Gary Letscher (Debbie), Tom Letscher (Sheila), Anne Shanahan (Tim), Mark Letscher (Jane) and Dave Letscher (Beth); and grandchildren, John and Jake Letscher; Dan, Sam, Sarah and Abby Letscher; Laura Shanahan (Paul), Maggie Shanahan (Héctor), and Jack Shanahan; Joe, Jen and Nate Letscher; and Sean Letscher. Memorials may be made to University of Notre Dame Center for Social Concerns, Geddes Hall (Building #1212), Notre Dame, Indiana 46556; Racine Montessori School, 2317 Howe Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403; or American Heart Association’ 3816 Paysphere Circle Chicago, IL 60674.