Former Deputy City Manager Marty dies

Last edited 12:42 p.m., Nov. 21, 2013

Weeks after retiring as Springfield's deputy city manager, Fred Marty has died.

The longtime Missouri State University executive was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, and he died Wednesday, according to a city news release.

Marty, 71, quickly exited his post with the city in early November, citing health reasons. He had previously announced his retirement in June to city officials, but reversed his decision to delay his retirement until this month, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

A memorial service is scheduled 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at Mercy Hammons Heart Institute, 1235 E. Cherokee St. The memorial is open to the public, but seating is limited, according to the city.

City Manager Greg Burris said Marty played a key role in strengthening relationships with private developers and designers to direct the development of the Queen City.

“I can think of no other person who has had a more profound impact on the city's operations than Fred Marty,” Burris said a news release issued this morning. “Fred’s work here will leave an indelible mark on our community for decades to come. He will be greatly missed by all of us who have come to know him as colleague, mentor and friend.”

With the city, Marty also was credited with leading an initiative to implement ePlans, an electronic development review process.

Before joining the city in 2010, Marty served several years in leadership roles at MSU. He was hired as vice president for administrative services in 1993, and five years later, was named chancellor of the school's West Plains campus. He relocated back to Springfield in 2001 to serve as executive director of the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum. He returned to MSU two years later to take the associate vice president for administrative services position and retired from the school in 2006, the release said.

Marty, who was born in St. Louis and attended MSU for his bachelor's degree, entered the U.S. Army in 1963, where he led an extensive career to the rank of major general, according to the release.

After his retirement, the city said it would split Marty's duties between Burris and Assistant City Manager Collin Quigley until a new deputy city manager is named.[[In-content Ad]]