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| Comments and pictures from friends and relatives for this page will be welcomed. |
| For those of you who haven’t heard, last night
my family suffered a terrible and tragic loss. There are many news stories
circulating, but they only share my father’s name and age. He was so much
more than a headline, he was a man of purpose, kindness, and unwavering
generosity.
My father was one of the most caring, service-driven people I have ever known. His contributions to our community were countless. Through decades of dedication to Scouting, he inspired and guided thousands of young people, teaching not only outdoor skills but integrity, leadership, and the value of giving back. Outside of Scouting, his fingerprints can be found on countless community projects, fundraisers, service events, building projects, and quiet acts of kindness that no one ever heard about. Whenever there was a need, he was the first to roll up his sleeves, the first to offer help, and the last to seek recognition. To my mother, he was a true partner. They met in a moment that felt like a scene from a story, ball gowns and all. From that moment on, they became a force to be reckoned with. Together, they raised and supported three boys, each with their own unique challenges, never losing sight of the importance of supporting each other through it all. Their partnership was unwavering, always 100%. Through their example, they taught us the true meaning of commitment, resilience, and unconditional love. To know my father was to know someone who truly lived his values. He believed that a meaningful life was built on service to others, hard work, and the courage to be yourself. Helping someone in need wasn’t something you scheduled, it was something you simply did. Love, to him, was a verb, proven every day by the way you treat people. It wasn’t just our family who felt that love. Over the past day, I’ve heard from so many people whose lives he touched. He was one of the best role models many had the blessing to know, a father figure to more people than he could count, and someone who is deeply missed already. His patience and guidance helped countless scouts, gently nudging them out of their comfort zones and encouraging them to grow. His leadership in the Scouting community made him a major part of many families’ lives, always someone who made others feel seen, heard, and special. Beyond Scouting, he was a fixture in the Cumberland Fair and Farmers Club for many years, serving as a vendor and a dedicated volunteer. He contributed to projects like the new walls in the Exhibition Hall Marketplace and the renovation and restoration of the Fairgrounds Restaurant, always working tirelessly with passion, quality, and a smile. Friends remember him as someone who worked with joy and humor, and who was always there with a helping hand and a joke. His passing is a devastating loss to all who knew him. Many remind us to hug our loved ones tighter, to pick up the phone, or make time for a visit because life is fragile and moments with those we care about are precious and unpredictable. He was also a beloved part of the craft fair and event community, where friendships were formed over years of supporting and listening to one another. That community feels the sting of losing a friend who was always ready to help and offer a shoulder to lean on. In every circle he moved through, Scott Martin was the “epitome of a true gentleman” as one friend shared. His kindness, thoughtfulness, and enormous heart touched everyone he met. He made the boys he led in his Scout troops feel part of an extended family, and he made every person he encountered feel valued and special. His family and friends carry him with them always, honoring the fine man the world lost. These memories and the many expressions of love and respect show the life my father lived one filled with patience, encouragement, and the quiet but powerful ability to make people believe in themselves. As I drove home yesterday, my mind was racing. A thousand moments with him replayed. Family camping trips, projects worked on side by side, long conversations about life, and those quiet times where just his presence was comfort. What kept coming back to me was the immense love he poured into our family, our community, and anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. My father taught us all how to work hard, love harder, and be our authentic selves. His example is a legacy I will carry forward, even as my heart aches from his absence. He was more than my father, he was my role model, my teacher, my steady hand in the storm. And while his physical presence is gone, the lessons he lived will guide me for the rest of my life. ~ Eri Martin |
| The following are some of the thoughts and wishes that were posted on Facebook. |
| I lost my scouting brother yesterday. I am absolutely
devastated ?? It breaks my heart to read this tribute from his son ( and
that he had to write it at all), but to read these words is to know Scott
Martin ??
"May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with you until we meet again" ~ Jennie-Mae Nisbet |
| Scott Martin was one of the greatest men I have
ever met. The patience and guidance you gave to not only me, but my siblings
and other scouters is something I will always cherish.
It all started fourteen years ago with pancakes on my first trip as a cub scout seeing what boy scouts were about. I am forever grateful for the gentle nudges to get out of my comfort zone and try new things and to better myself as I grew up. I hope the great scoutmaster above has saved the best seat for you. I can't express how thankful I am to have met you and learned from you. Wendy, Eri, Sam, Jonah and your family and friends are all in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Sam Medina |
| Life isn't guaranteed for any of us. Scott was
the Ranger at Camp Hinds when I came on board. We shared commonality in
DeMolay, as he was a Senior DeMolay himself and Vermont. He always asked
about the boys and how life was. My heart hurts for his family. I pray
they can find comfort in eachother during this very tragic time.
~ Tina Goodwin |
| Scott Anthony Martin, Scouter Remembrance
It isn't easy to find the words. The depths of my loss have not yet fully settled. I wander through my days, rudderless, seeking to understand the emotion I am feeling. On Thursday, August 7th, Scouting and the larger Maine Community lost, from our daily experience, one of our finest men, Scott Anthony Martin, 56, of Naples, Maine. The tragic account of his death has been widely circulated in our local news. None could describe the shock and loss so many of us are feeling. I first encountered Scott when he was the Ranger at Camp Hinds in Raymond. My son, Jamie, was a Cub Scout. Jamie and his many friends from Pack 800 loved Camp Hinds and the many places to wander and explore. Encountering Scott for the first time, I was impressed by his warmth for those of us who were leading that day. His hospitality was exceptional. His concern was that our experience, and more importantly, that of the Youth* we were guiding, met our every expectation. Scott went beyond those expectations when he offered resources that we didn’t know were available to us. The leaders and the Youth felt valued. A few years later, as my son advanced into Troop 800, we were joined by Scott and his family seeking a new Scouting home. Here we met his sons Sam and Jonah, who became an immediate resource for the Boys of the Troop as their experience of Scouting and in the outdoors was extensive. Scott’s oldest son, Eri, had already earned his Eagle Award at Troop 51, where Scott had been the Scoutmaster. Scott was a treasure trove of information that would strengthen our Troop and make the outdoor program one of the strongest in the Council. Scott’s guidance concerning National Scouting’s regulations helped keep our young charges safe and the leaders knowledgeable. Sam and Jonah would eventually earn their Eagle Award with the Troop. Our Youth are better for knowing them. Why is this moment significant? Why, if you are new to Scouting, is Scott’s passing important? His life, his marriage to Wendy, and his family of three young men stand as a model for family life heavily influenced by the very best Aims and Methods that Scouting has to offer. Scott and Wendy embraced Scouting’s purpose of developing in their family of three Boys qualities of honesty, self-respect, and respect for others. They used the resources that Scouting has evolved over its long history to develop in their sons the ability to lead, to be strong citizens, and to lead healthy lifestyles. The results are plain to see. Eri, Sam, and Jonah are fine examples of what is possible when Scouting’s values are interwoven into the fabric of family life. I have been involved in many Youth activities: baseball, soccer, basketball, and more. I have supported numerous Youth academic activities and played a leadership role in some. I can tell you from forty years of experience serving Youth, none come close to Scouting for developing the “whole person”! None. In the months after I retired, I helped Scott and other volunteers for a day a week at Camp Hinds. It was here that I became aware of the man’s capabilities. I was also made aware of the incredible responsibility of a Scout Ranger! I would arrive at camp early, and after a fast cup of coffee, Scott would direct our activities. We would work with him as he guided us with his extensive carpentry skills to make repairs and improvements that would create a better place for our Youth to enjoy their camp experience. Within minutes, Scott would receive a call from the other end of camp, where his presence would be required. He would return an hour later to give us a hand, only to receive yet another call and the inevitable hasty departure. This would go on throughout the day and was an ever-present part of the Ranger’s job at Camp Hinds. Were it me, I would have no hair by the end of the week. Yet Scott tolerated it well, and his service there lasted over a decade, unusual for that type of position. I want to share one intimate moment that I think is important when understanding Scott Martin. Scott had me finishing the walls in the “guard shack” near the second parking lot. I was cleaning up for the day when Scott stopped by to check my progress and address any material needs I might have. We chatted for a few moments when Scott paused as we were taking in the vista of the athletic field, beautifully mowed. He shared that on days when he was alone at Camp and solitary in his thoughts, he experienced a “Presence” that gave him peace and hope. He told me that he had never experienced that anywhere else to that extent. I know of what Scott described. It’s there, present in the woods and waters of Camp Hinds. It’s present in the legacy of those who have come before us in the service of Youth. I am confident that our dear friend Scott is there now to support, guide, and love. As we remember Scott—with gratitude, sorrow, and deep respect—we must also acknowledge the weight of grief that accompanies such a sudden and profound loss. Grief is not a weakness, nor is it something to be hurried through. It is a natural, human response to love, interrupted. In the days and weeks ahead, I encourage each of us to honor our journey through grief. Speak with someone you trust. Reach out to a counselor, a spiritual guide, or a mental health professional. There is no shame in seeking support—only strength in choosing to heal. Scott spent his life helping others find their way. Let us now help one another do the same. With unconditional positive regard, ~ Bill Diffenderfer |
| I can't believe I'm writing this post.
Scott Martin was the 1st person Annie and I met our 1st time visiting Camp
William Hinds. Our Pentagon friends (called IRT) said "We're leaving
the BSA Summit and coming to Maine. Give us *everything* you possibly can."
The Board said "we didn't hire you for this, but we'll never get this again.
Do all you can." And my friend, Ranger Scott Martin, made it
happen. He was my daily interface with military Duration Staff to
plan and execute a greatly ambitious plan to dive into four beloved but
very worn down camps, a blown out earthen dam, sparky old power, new dining
facility, the works. Army, Navy, Air Guard, Maine Guard, and Marines came
from all over the world including British Royal Marine Engineers to train
by doing practical construction in 2 week rotations for several summer
months over 4 years . The complexity was mind-blowing: 20000sq'
new dining hall/office, roads, sports fields, cabins, bridges, shooting
ranges, renovations of 100+ year old Maine buildings, new *buried primary
power*, guardsmen and women from Hawaii who never heard of 'frost depth',
a mobile bivouac with mobile kitchen for all these pax on our camp, a brand
new rotation of 'joint ops’ units every 2 weeks, and all done with donated
materials for all 4 camps. He even took a full commercial kitchen stored
for 15 years, installed it, and made it work! Huge military
construction machines and support apparatus were delivered that Scott cared
for, and Scott had the ability and reputation for honesty that got local
permits and planning boards our way. He was such a great coach that
he taught young soldiers to be better tradesmen and women. Always
helping others, Scott helped the Town of Raymond, schools, Camp Susan Curtis,
the fire department, and more to get pro bono IRT construction while our
soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines were working on our own projects.
He met reporters, governor's office folk, state code people, major donors
and board members, and public looky-loos who would travel to see the hub-bub,
all with a Scouting friendly (and sometimes firm) way. Wendy
and their 3 Eagle Scout sons jumped into the adventure and supported the
entire operation, making lifelong friendships with servicemen and women
from around the world. All of this while the normal business of Scouting
was going on, including selling our massive Portland office and relocating
to our newly built/renovated facility (with Scott's help we moved 30 miles
for less than $1000 spent) AND reopening a dormant Boy Scout Resident Camp,
resulting in 2 summer camps running simultaneously. Scott was my
partner, my right hand. An Indispensable Man who saw impossible challenges
as 'fun'. A US Army Combat Engineer veteran. A great father,
friend, and man of faith.
From relationships to incredible builds, everything you did was built to last. Look at these bolts by our Marines from 6th ESB!!! See you again someday, my friend. ~ Eric Tarbox |
| NO, it’s too soon, the loss too great. I love
you, brother. I can’t speak to your passing with the eloquence of others.
I’m proud to have known you. I’m proud to know the three young men you
raised with Wendy. I know that they will follow your footsteps as men of
the same quality. ?
You have inspired, led, helped, and mentored, countless others. You will live on in our memories. Until we meet again ~ Keith Kettelhut |
| I'm so sad Scott Martin, I'm so in disbelief...I
have never met a person so selfless in my life! You are the legit "shirt
off my back" kind of guy. I don't even want to go to work Monday because
im going to miss our banter! Who else am I going to send my ridiculous
reels too ? I will forever remember your laughter, your deafness,
your kindness, your heart in all things that mean something to you! Your
humor. Your unwavering loyalty. I love you man! Truly a heart aching
loss! Fly high from now until we meet again!
~ Isabel Garcia |
| There's an empty seat & a Guinness tonight
with the Ranger's name on it. May the great scoutmaster of all scouts be
with you until we meet again.
~ Matthew Mower |
| Scott Martin- A great friend and mentor.
Day is done, gone the sun From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh. May the great Scoutmaster in the sky be with you until we meet again. ~ Susan Shoberg |
| My thoughts and prayers go out to a dear friends
family as they deal with the devastating loss of such a great friend, husband
and father! My thoughts are with you all. Scott Martin may you rest in
peace as memories of you live on. Healing prayers for Sam, Jonah, Eri,
Thea and his wife Wendy.
~ Tammy Lynn Smith |
|
Dean B. Zaharis Created: Nov 16, 2025 Last Update: Nov 16, 2025 Send comments to: FriendsOfHinds@gmail.com |