Robert Jackson Beattie Martin (September 23, 1890 – December 2, 1958) was a Canadian surgeon and sportsman who was president of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and namesake of the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy.
Early life
editMartin born in Exeter, Ontario, to Rev. William M. and Christina (Jamieson) Martin.[1][2] One of his brothers was Chief Justice and Premier of Saskatchewan, William Melville Martin. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1915 and joined the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps.[1] He was later transferred to the British Army and in 1917, while serving with the British in Palestine, Martin was awarded the Military Cross for attending to wounded soldiers while under very heavy machine gun fire.[1][3][4]
Medicine
editFollowing his discharge in 1918, Martin specialized in orthopedics at the Mayo Clinic. In 1922, he moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, and practiced with Dr. Hugh McLean before going into private practice.[1] In 1926, he and Dr. D. S. Johnstone amputated a patient's leg while she was still conscious because she suffered from a heart condition that made the doctors decide against using an ordinary anesthetic.[5] He rejoined the RCAMC in 1941 and served overseas during World War II.[1] He was discharged in 1944 and became a part-time orthopedic surgeon for the Regina branch of Department of Pensions and National Health.[6] Martin and 15 other doctors founded the Medical Arts Clinic.
Sports
editMartin became an executive with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1921 and was a team doctor for over 30 years.[1][7] He served as team president in 1954 and 1955.[7][8] He was also president of the Regina Victorias from 1925 to 1926, 1927 to 1928, and 1931 to 1933 and served as president of the Saskatchewan Fish and Game League.[9][10][11][12]
Personal life
editIn 1929, Martin married Mildred Spooner of Regina.[1] They had one son - Gordon Beattie Martin and one daughter – Frances Joanne (Martin) Froggatt.[1][13] The family resided in Regina and had a summer home on Waskesiu Lake.[1] Martin was a member of the Liberal Party of Saskatchewan and the First Presbyterian Church in Regina.[1]
In 1938, Martin was hurled 15 feet and suffered burns on his hands in a gasoline explosion on a friend's farm.[14] He was released from the hospital on July 15 and recovered in time to take part in the provincial medical convention at Prince Albert National Park the following week.[15]
Martin died of a heart attack on December 2, 1958, at his home in Regina.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Dr. Beattie Martin dies". The Leader-Post. December 3, 1958. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Premier's Aged Mother Is Dead". The Morning Leader. March 21, 1922. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Military Cross Awarded to Beattie Martin". The Morning Leader. June 30, 1917. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Lieutenant Robert Jackson Beattie Martin". C.G.W.P. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Aged Woman Watches Doctors While They Amputate Her Leg". The Morning Leader. May 10, 1926. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Martin to serve pensions branch". The Leader-Post. October 6, 1944. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Riders Reveal Big Profit; Dr. Martin New President". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. January 11, 1954. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders Announce Football Profit". Ottawa Citizen. December 19, 1955. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Manitoba Teams Will Invade Regina This Season To Play Exhibition Games With Vics". The Morning Leader. September 9, 1925. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Vics Organize For Hockey; Martin Pres". The Morning Leader. November 23, 1927. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Two Amateur Teams in City". The Leader-Post. October 8, 1932. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Qu'Appelle Dam Is Recommended". The Leader-Post. January 23, 1934. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Fall Wedding in Waskesiu Setting". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. September 6, 1956. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Beattie Martin Hurled 15 Feet". The Leader-Post. July 9, 1938. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Martin Recovers". The Leader-Post. July 19, 1938. Retrieved 5 April 2024.