It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the loss of RMI’s CEO, our beloved mentor and friend, Martin Stein. Martin passed away on Monday, March 8, 2010 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Martin was a devoted husband and loving father, a benevolent boss and colleague, and a well respected industry leader.

Martin's career in direct marketing began in 1980 at Walter Karl Companies, Inc.  where after just a year and a half, he was appointed Vice President of Brokerage.  In 1985, Martin resigned from Walter Karl Companies with a vision about how the direct marketing industry would be changing in coming years.   He, and longtime friend and business associate John Forte, formed RMI Direct Marketing, Inc. John later sold his share of the company to Martin.  Since 1992, Martin has been CEO of RMI.

As head of RMI, Martin was committed to serving RMI’s clients above and beyond their expectations.  Our clients trusted and respected Martin’s input and leadership,  and many deep, long lasting friendships were forged. 

Martin was a former List Leaders board member and past recipient of the HVDMA (Hudson Valley Direct Marketing Association) Founder’s Award. He was a voting member of the Direct Marketing Association, Inc. and a member of the DMA List Council, DMA Non Profit Federation, DMA of Washington, DMA Special Interest Council and was on the Advisory Board for the DMA’s PAC Organization.

As our boss, Martin’s door was always open.  We knew we were welcome to walk into his office at any time, bounce ideas off him and get his advice.  He earned our respect, admiration and devotion every day.

Martin also gave of himself outside of the industry.  He served as a board member of the Charles Ives Center for the Performing Arts in Danbury and the Ridgewood Country Club. He participated in area walks and other fundraisers for the Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation.  He volunteered on the fundraising committee for the Danbury Hospital Cancer Center, donated resources to the AIDS Project of Greater Danbury, and helped various local and school organizations.  

Regardless of his busy schedule, Martin wasn’t all work and no play. First and foremost he was a devoted family man to wife Nancy, daughter Chelsea and son Zachary. He was also known for building a pumpkin launching air cannon and a space ship out of a Subaru.  He could speak intelligently on any subject (he was an avid fan of The Discovery Channel). He loved books, movies, the NY Times crossword puzzle, gardening, cooking and good wine, and Italian opera; and he always made us laugh with his outrageous Halloween costumes

Martin was an honest, genuine, kind, generous and fun-loving man.  We love him dearly.  He will be missed more than words can say.  Our prayers are with his family.

Services
Funeral Services will take place on Thursday, March 11 at 2:30pm at the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 1:30pm until the time of the service. 

Donations
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Institute for Cancer Research 1759 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; www.aicr.org/martinstein.