Martinezes celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

Robert and R. Diane (McClanahan) Martinez, of Bosque Farms, will celebrate 50 years of marriage on Nov. 10. The couple was married in 1973 at Queen of Heaven church in Albuquerque.

Robert and Diane met in Gallup, N.M., in 1973 when they were both working road construction.

Robert, who is self employed, is a former 1969 champion high school bull rider. He had a RCA card and bull rode at many rodeos. Later, he started team roping. Robert has many bull riding and team roping buckles. He has an arena at his home in Bosque Farms and loves to practice roping whenever he gets the chance.

Robert enjoys the outdoors — fishing, riding his ATV and exploring the USA in his motor home. He also loves collecting antiques. He has an extensive collection of bits and spurs by Crockett, Berman and Rinaldi. He loves playing with the grandkids and spoiling them.

His hobbies also include roping, woodcarving and working on the potter’s wheel.

Robert is from Wagon Mound, N.M., and is co-owner of the Diamond C Ranch. Robert had two body shops in Albuquerque during the 1970s and 1980s. The first mini body shop was on Isleta Boulevard. Then he and his brothers built Martinez Paint & Body on Old Coors Boulevard. They ran it for more than 17 years.

Then Robert started selling Diane’s pottery on the Santa Fe Plaza, 35 years now. Robert enjoys meeting and talking to people from across the world.

Diane, who grew up in Gallup, is a world-renowned Southwest potter, and creates award-winning contemporary blackware.

Diane likes to make things and has tried many — crocheting, beading,  jewelry, collecting troll dolls,  gardening, to name a few. She also has a small menagerie — three small dogs, fish, cockatiels, parakeet, turtles and a rabbit.

She is a big K-pop and K-drama fan. Diane loves social media; she has TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and  Twitter, and she has friends and fans from around the world.

Their children are Kelly Sandon, of Peralta; and her children, Kyle June and Tyler Roy; Colleen and Sean Mraz, of Los Chavez; Kendra and Skyler Schmitt, of New Braunfels, Texas, and their two children, Aiden and Sebastian Schmitt; Kimberly Martinez, of Peralta, and her two children, Mariano and Mason; and Bryan Martinez Sanchez, of Bosque Farms.

The Martinezes will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner with their children and grandchildren.