Keith Martens

Keith Martens, 1964-2021

Keith Martens, 56, left this earthly shore for more peaceful and plentiful waters on January 22, 2021.

Born in New Haven, CT, to Maryellen Quinlan Martens and Harry Charles Martens, Keith graduated from Lee Summit High School, Lee Summit, MO, where he was a member of the wrestling team. He attended Holy Cross College as well as culinary school in St. Louis, MO, where he received a degree in culinary arts.

Upon graduation, Keith worked as a chef at the five-star Seventh Inn Restaurant in St Louis. He then moved to North Carolina to work for his father's company, New Midwest. After a stint with New Midwest, Keith found his way back to the culinary world as a chef at the Seabrook Island Club in Seabrook, SC.

After leaving Seabrook, Keith traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to help open a restaurant. He fell in love with the area and would no doubt have returned there given the chance. After leaving Mexico, Keith moved to Oriental, NC, to work as a chef at the Rivers Dunes Resort.

Keith was an avid fisherman and there were many occasions when family and friends were treated to the bounty of local waters that had been transformed into memorable meals by his culinary talents. If you found Keith at your doorstep with a bag full of freshly caught shrimp or crabs, ready to fire up the grill or stovetop, you knew it was your lucky day.

Keith loved to share his talents with others; his heart was large and open, and his spirit generous. Well before there was a Google, there was Keith -- he had a head full of facts and obscure references that he would happily recall when the conversation called for it.

Keith had a love for all animals, but especially his dogs. Throughout his life, he rescued a number of dogs and gave them all a loving, safe home. Later in life, Keith found solace in walking the beaches of North Carolina with his beloved pack of forever friends.

Above all, he had a great love for his family. He was a protective big brother to his 4 siblings, a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews, and a beloved son.

Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Maryellen Quinlan Martens. He is survived by his father, Harry Martens of Oriental, NC,; stepmother Margaret Martens of Mooresville, NC; sister Kathy Martens of Bishop, CA, and nieces Sierra Schultz of Mammoth Lakes, CA, Lydia Schultz of San Diego, CA, and Kira Schultz of Santa Barbara, CA, as well as nephew Ethan Schultz of Santa Barbara, CA; sister Alex Martens of Atlanta, GA; sister Lynden Martens of Austin, TX; brother Chris Martens (Jamie) and nephews Cole and Henry Martens, as well as niece Sadie Martens of Louisville, KY; aunt Nancy Van Sciver (Rod) of Rye, NH; and cousins Jed Van Sciver of Broomfield, CO, and Lisa Van Sciver of Jackson Hole, WY.

The family will receive visitors following current COVID protocol at Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, NC, on Thursday, January 28, 2021, from 2-3 p.m.

Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home & Cremations, Alliance.