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Obituaries » David G. Martin

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August 31, 1931 - December 29, 2018

A memorial service to celebrate David’s life will be held at his church, First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 1:00 PM. The Rev. Steve Charnley officiating. A time of visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to CurePSP (Progessive Supranuclear Palsy), First United Methodist Church Food Pantry or a charity of one’s choice.

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EULOGY TO MY OLDER BROTHER DAVE Dave was born 8 years and 26 days prior to me. I will eulogize Dave as the finest, most caring, kindest big brother anyone could have. Dave will always be an example for me and of a life well lived. Ann, you are my sister, not simply a sister-in-law. Following are simply a few examples of Dave as my big protective brother. • An early event was when you and Doug Lee took me to the circus. I believe this was when you might have been in middle school or high school in Chicago. I am at a loss to state our respective ages, but I was old enough to remember the event. The three of us were seated in the wooden bleachers when a large man chose to squeeze past us. I can't recall if he frightened me or actually bumped me, but you took offense with his action, and you chewed the man out and were ready to go to blows with him except for the Doug's restraining you. I was quite surprised that my gentle and kind older brother was capable of such anger driven by his willingness to come to my defense. • Another recollection was when you were a student at South high school in Denver. I was in the backyard attempting to do chin-ups on the clothesline pole. There was a three-pronged gardening tool beneath me with the points facing up. When I dropped from the pole my foot was pierced that tool. I cried out, and Dave burst out of the house, picked me up and carried me on his back for many blocks up to Gaylord Street perhaps to catch the trolley and get medical attention for me. • When you came home for summer break from Dartmouth College, you took me for a walk in Washington Park, and we sat down next to the lake. While we were looking across the lake, a young beagle puppy probably a year old or so bounced over, and we petted the dog. That puppy then walked behind you and proceeded to lift its leg on the back of your jacket. While you were displeased, you petted the puppy once again. • When Dave completed his Ph.D. in organic chemistry, he bypassed higher-paying research positions offered by DuPont and other munitions manufacturers in order to accept a position performing health and cancer research. • When I began as a freshman at Dartmouth, Dave kindly gave me the red Pendleton blanket that he’d used while he was a student there. Dave graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth. His straight A average included one B due to his disagreement with a political science professor. • When I was reporting to Fort Gordon, Georgia as a brand-new 2LT; I stopped at Dave and Ann’s house in Kalamazoo where I received the greatest hospitality. I recall that my ear was red and sore. I may have even had a bit of a fever. Dave and Ann diagnosed the problem as a large white head in the outer ear. Dave applied warm washcloths and then using careful pressure ejected the largest Whitehead I had ever seen. • When I traveled to Henry Ford Hospital for prostate cancer surgery, Dave and Ann put me up and then accompany me to the hospital, stayed with me, and then welcome me back into their home while I recovered. • Dave gave Susan and I his share of our father’s inheritance that we then sent on to our disabled and troubled agent orange afflicted daughter, Kathy. My mind and heart are filled with so many more positive memories as I am certain all who have known my brother also have. These above are only a trivial account of remembrances off the top of my head about innumerable behaviors, but clearly, no man can ask for a kinder, more considerate, or caring older brother and his loving spouse and offspring.

Posted by Martin Dan Martin on January 2, 2019

Sincere condolences on the death of Dave - his faithful service to the chemical profession at The Upjohn Company was valued and respected by those of us who worked with him. His sense of humor regarding his preference of being in the lab rather than in meetings was on display when, as a 60-year member of the American Chemical Society, he gave a short summary of his many years' experiences to a gathering of aspiring scientists. My God give you His peace as you deal with his absence.

Posted by Lydia E. M. Hines on January 1, 2019