David Michael Martin (1940-2012)

MARTIN, WOOTTEN, EASTON, MANKO

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 10/20/2012 at 09:57:09

From Bacon Funeral Home & Crematory obituary, Nevada and Maxwell, Story County, Iowa:

David Michael Martin died on October 14, 2012, in Ames. Dave was born on November 24, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Jack Thomas Martin and Frances Jessie Wootten Martin. He graduated from Mount Lebanon High School in Mount Lebanon, PA, in 1958. He completed a bachelor's degree in glass technology at Alfred University (New York State University of Ceramics) in 1962 and a Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from Iowa State University in 1967. Dave married Anne Elizabeth Easton, of Ames, in May 1963. Dave and Anne had two sons, Michael (Hogan) Easton Martin in 1964, and David Michael Martin Jr. in 1965.

Dave served in the United States Army, Chemical Corps, in Massachusetts and Vietnam in the 1960s. Following his military service he worked on armor that found application on helicopters in Vietnam and in separating drivers from passengers in taxicabs that served New York City for many years. The family settled in Ames in 1971 after living in Chelmsford, MA, and Pittsburgh, PA.

Joining the ISU Engineering College in 1971, Dave retired as a full professor in the Materials Science and Engineering department in 2000. He founded the Gaffers Guild (glassblowing club) and served two terms as president of the newly conceived Faculty Senate. Dave was known for his incoming engineering student lectures that included demonstrations of physical properties of materials.

For many years he acted, directed and provided production assistance for Ames local theater, including Children's Theater, ACTORS, and especially Ames Women's Theater. Dave enjoyed equations, cats, optics, wine, measurement, analysis, and terrible jokes. His favorite restaurants were Aunt Maude's, Jeff's Pizza and the Grove Cafe. In later years he enjoyed traveling: walking was difficult, but he could go forever in his RV and could often be seen zipping around town on his handy scooter.

Dave had a particular gift for encouraging others to pursue the activities they loved.

Dave lived with smoking-induced emphysema since the late 1980s and ultimately succumbed to the disease. The family thanks Homeward Hospice, the Israel Family Hospice House and the many friends who supported us on his final journey.

He is survived by his sons Hogan (Sarah Davis) of Ames and David Jr. (Steve Godfrey) of Des Plaines, Ill. and his brother Tom of Crystal River, FL. Dave was preceded in death by his wife Anne in 2009; and sister, Jacqueline Manko, in 2011.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, at 4:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames, 1015 N. Hyland Avenue. Dave would have appreciated donations to KHOI Radio in Ames.

Memorial Service
Friday, November 02
4:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
1015 N. Hyland Ames, IA 50014

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