Derek Stover Martin 1971-2024

Derek Stover Martin of St. Louis Park, Minn., died July 17 at home. He was 53.

Born June 14, 1971, in Opelika, Ala., he was the son of Donald Francis Martin and Helen Neisler Martin, who divorced. He moved with his family at a young age to Florida, attending public schools in Gainesville and Alachua.

As a teen, he found his lifelong passion as a high-performance auto mechanic, graduating from the Santa Fe College Automotive Program with the ASE Master Automotive Technician certification at the age of 17. He became chief mechanic of the Frank Hawley NHRA Drag Racing School at the Gatornationals racetrack and moved with the school to NHRA Headquarters in Pomona, Calif., but soon tired of life on the road at drag races and settled permanently in the Minneapolis area.

In St. Louis Park, he found Christian faith and community, and met his wife Becky Keuning who survives him as do their three daughters, Audrey Ruth, Addison Ann, and Alyse Joy; step-son Arik Weisberg(Carlee Rauchmann); granddaughter Alexis Weisberg; brother Douglas (Carol); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and half-brothers, Donald and David.

He operated and worked in garages for the past decades, earning a reputation for vast knowledge and willingness to help anyone. He competed in NHRA time trials in the Pro Stock division in a red-and-white 1984 Chevrolet Camaro.

His true love though was his family, children, and their dogs, all of whom he gave countless nicknames.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

August 3, 2024

Park Community Church 6805 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55426, USA

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services