Martin Dale Mumma

Martin Dale Mumma (Marty) was born January 21, 1936, in Gideon, Missouri, to Billy Dale Mumma and Monzelle (Macom) Mumma.

Marty attended and graduated from Senath High School in Senath, Missouri (1954), and earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in geology from University of Missouri (1958-1959). He went on to earn his Ph.D. in geology, paleontology and stratigraphy at Louisiana State University (LSU) (1965). He served three years as an officer in the United States Air Force.

After graduating LSU Marty worked for Humble Oil (Exxon) as an exploration geologist (1965-1968). A natural teacher, he soon left industry to begin a lifelong career in education. He taught graduate and undergraduate geology courses at Eastern Kentucky University (1968-1969) before moving to Cheney, Washington, to a professorship and subsequent chairman of the Geology Department at Eastern Washington University (1969-1982). While at Washington, he explored and mapped the glacial caves and passageways at the summit of Mt. Ranier (1971).

His work in oil, gas and mining exploration took him to Central and South America, the Caribbean, Russia and the Middle East. Marty’s field experience included working in Montana, Wyoming and Alaska where during a contract with U.S. Borax he survived a helicopter crash into a glacial crevasse

Marty moved to Oklahoma in 1982 where he expanded his career into continuing education as Manager of Professional Development for Cities Service Oil & Gas Company in Tulsa. In 1985 he founded Professional Training Resources International, focusing primarily on contracts with the U.S. Government to train oil & gas professionals from developing countries to work with the US petroleum industry. While in Tulsa Marty taught English and mathematics to GED participants for Tulsa Public Schools, Adult Basic Education.

Retiring in 1998 he and his wife, Marie, moved to Polson, Montana, where he pursued his love of the outdoors—hunting, fishing and exploring the wilderness. He was a master craftsman and woodturner, establishing a following for is finely crafted, hardwood furniture and lathe-turned pieces. He designed and constructed two houses for his family.

Marty was preceded in death by his parents Monzelle and Billy Mumma and, sister, Barbara Camblin.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Carolyn, and his children Julia Hutchinson (Mitchell), Mitchell Mumma, Matthew Mumma (Sarah) and Jesse Berenger (Amie) along with grandsons Garrett, Stephen, Michael and granddaughter Lauren. He enjoyed a lifetime of love from his large extended family.

A celebration of Life will be held in the spring.