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Paul R. Martin, Ph.D. - Obituary (August 17,
2009)
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Dr. Paul R. Martin, 63, joined the
Lord on August 14, 2009 after an 8-month
battle at Riverside Methodist and James
Cancer Hospitals with leukemia.
Born June 28, 1946 he was the son of Rev.
Paul and Esther Martin both
deceased who pastored churches in the Athens
– Albany area. He is survived
by his wife, Barbara of 42 years and his
son, Timothy Paul, now entering his
senior year at OU in graphic design. Also
surviving are his siblings:
Miriam, of Olathe KS, Lois of Crossville TN,
and Stephen of Albany.
He received his BA and MA in Experimental
Psychology from
the University of Missouri-Kansas City
(1968-1971.) He also obtained a
MA in Humanities from Western Kentucky U in
1977 and his PhD from the
University of Pittsburgh in Counseling in
1983. Paul also took theology
course-work at Princeton University and
Nazarene Seminary. During his
lifetime he held a variety of positions all
with a heart of service. He
pastored a campus church in Kansas City for
7 years. He was instrumental in
seeing that a case was pursued all the way
to the Supreme Court wherein
Christian college students had the right to
meet on campus ending in the
precedent setting freedom of religion case (Widmar
vs. Vincent).
He worked as a college professor for 5 years
at Geneva College in Pa., and
in MRDD as a behavioral psychologist for
some 20+ years at Echoing
Meadows in Athens. Being a licensed
psychologist, his main calling was as
Founder and Executive Director of Wellspring
Retreat and Resource Center
near Albany, an internationally known
residential treatment facility for
persons abused by cults and dysfunctional
relationships. He aided in the
treatment of over 1000 clients over a period
of 23 years in his service to
hurting individuals, with many lives
grateful for his guidance.
He served as an Expert Witness in 29
legal/court cases as a psychologist
who testified to the role of "brainwashing"
causing behavioral changes,
including the Muhammed/Malvo DC sniper trial
and the recent terrorist
legal case of Zacharias Moussaoui. He also
worked with several special
intelligence projects.
He authored the book, "Cult-Proofing Your
Kids," published 15 scholarly
articles, and presented over 60
workshops/seminars at a variety of
professional conferences. He was highly
interviewed by TV, radio, and
news media with about 57 interviews ranging
from the Ft. Worth Star -
Telegram, Kansas City Star, Tokyo
Broadcasting, the Leeza Gibbons Show,
48 Hours-CBS and others. He received the
John G. Clark Award for Distinguished
Scholarship in Cultic Studies in 1993 from
the American
Family Foundation (now known as the
International Cultic Studies
Association). Paul was also awarded the ICSA
2006 Herbert L. Rosedale
Award "in recognition of leadership in the
effort to preserve and protect
individual freedom."
Paul was humble despite all his
accomplishments, serving with faith,
perseverance, a shepherd’s heart and
sacrifice for the causes and calling on
his Christian life. His greatest love
remained with his wife and son.
A memorial service to honor his life will be
held at Christ Community
Wesleyan Church in Albany on Saturday,
August 22 at 2:00 p.m. preceded
by visitation with the family at 1:30 p.m.,
Pastors Paul Risler and Denver
Dodrill officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made in honor of Paul to his family,
PO Box 262, Albany, OH 45710.
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