MARTIN HILSMAN DODENHOFF, aged 82 years, beloved husband of Ann Gelehrter (nee Gorris), dear father of Laura Dodenhoff Martin (husband Andy) and Betsy Dodenhoff Howard (husband Scott), loving grandfather of Grant and Reed Martin and Robert and Will Howard, fond step-father to Tom Gelehrter (wife Marissa) and David Gelehrter, step-grandfather to Sawyer and Sullivan Gelehrter, cherished brother of the late John Rhodes Haverty, Jr. Mr. Dodenhoff served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army and was owner of Dodenhoff Industrial Textiles.
Martin died peacefully at home on April 20, 2020 shortly after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was surrounded by his wife and daughters. He was born on June 4, 1937 in Greenville, South Carolina to William Dorr Dodenhoff and Mary Frances Cooledge Dodenhoff.
He graduated from The Asheville School in 1956. He went to college at North Carolina State University where he was a Sigma Nu. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in Textile Engineering.
After graduation, Martin served as a First Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army where he was stationed at the Defense Clothing & Textile Supply Agency in Philadelphia. He was awarded honors in that capacity for military cost saving procedures.
After the army, Martin worked for Dow Chemical Company in James River Textile Division in Newport News, Virginia and then moved to Lakewood, Ohio in 1965 where he worked for Lamports Textiles in Cleveland. In 1978, he started Dodenhoff Industrial Textiles. He built his practice of designing industrial textiles into a successful business that supplied fabrics to companies worldwide. He owned and worked at DIT until he sold the business in 2018.
Supporting his passion for amateur sports car racing through the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), he became co-founder and owner of The Winners Circle in Rocky River, Ohio in 1970. Martin raced several cars in SCCA races through the years including a Bugeye Sprite, TR-7, Spridget and a Lotus Europa. Martin’s many victories on race tracks across the country led him to hold the course record at Road Atlanta (1985). He placed 2nd at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road Atlanta in 1972 and 1983.
Martin was kind, generous and loved to build race cars and tinker with anything that had a motor. He loved his family and had a great sense of humor. He was a good friend and was loved by many people. He was proud to be a long time member of Lakewood Rotary. He was a lifetime member of the Sports Car Club of America and a member of Lotus Limited since 1977 and the Cleveland Area Lotus Limited.
Burial will be in Greenville, South Carolina. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, local Cleveland services will be announced when social restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Martin suggested to the Lakewood Rotary, P.O. Box 770916, Lakewood, OH 44107. Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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James Coble
Martin was very knowledgeable and he will be greatly missed I really enjoyed our conversation
TONY & LYNNE BURGESS
Ann and Family,
Lynne and I are so sad to hear of Martin’s passing.
Our deepest condolences.
The Baker's Family
My condolences to you and the family. Sorry for your loss.
Michael Irving
Ann & family
So sorry to hear of your husband’s/father’s passing. My deepest condolences
Michael Irving
Ann & family
So sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences
Beatrice Colage
Dear Anne,
My heartfelt condolences to you for the passing of your beloved husband, Martin. May your countless memories of your life spent together give you comfort at this most difficult time. Thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
Gayden Truluck
Dear Laura and Betsy, We are so sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. We always liked your Dad, I enjoyed talking with him about his textile business. We will keep you in our prayers at this time.
Gayden and Alan
Kelli Rae Saraney
Dear Dodenhoff family,
Browsing obituaries I saw the passing. I remember Mr. Dodenhoff working at Lamports with my dad Ken Hoover. My memory of him is being a kind man. Sorry for your loss.
Kelli Rae Saraney (Hoover)
Laura Dodenhoff Martin
This is Laura. I remember hearing your dad’s name mentioned when I was growing up! Thank you for your message, it means so much to hear from other people who have memories of my dad.
Peter Danford
I enjoyed knowing Martin so very much. He was a friend and a real gentleman. He was always fun. My best to the family on the loss of a really good guy. Peter Danford
Molly Dean
I am so sorry to hear about Martin’s passing. I enjoyed working with Martin – I loved our conversations about fabric, family, airplanes, anything really!
He was so helpful to me when I started out in this business. I always knew when he was calling, even without looking at the caller ID – his voice was very distinguishable!
He was a very kind man, and he will be missed.
Please take comfort in knowing that so many people loved Martin and his company. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Molly Dean