Melvin (Mel) Richard Martin

January 13, 1935 - May 17, 2012

Melvin (Mel) Richard Martin was born January 13, 1935 in Waterloo, Iowa to Edward and Delta (O’Kane) Martin. He lived the majority of his childhood in Buckingham, Iowa and attended school through 8th grade there. He then attended Traer Public High School (Traer, Iowa) from 9th through 12th grades, graduating in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served until December 1955 when he was honorably discharged. In the fall of 1956 he entered Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. On February 3, 1957 he married Marlene Burrows of Traer. In the fall of 1957 he transferred to Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa. After taking time off to work, he returned to Cedar Falls, Iowa Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa), graduating in 1961. He taught mathematics in Decorah, Iowa for 4 years. He received a National Science Academic Year Institute grant in 1965 at the University of South Carolina earning his Master of Mathematics in 1966. He taught math in Freeport, Illinois for 7 years before moving to Oregon in 1973. He taught 1 year at Rex Putman in Milwaukie, Oregon. From 1974 until his retirement in 1993 he was the math teacher and developed the infrastructure for technology at Newberg High School. Mel is survived by his wife, Marlene; three sons, Kevin, Monte and Bret and a daughter, Kim and her husband, Allen Baker. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, April, Damon, Bradley, Chelsea and Brogan and 1 great-grandchild Hayley. There will be a private family burial service at Willamette National Cemetery on May 22nd, and a Celebration of Life event will be held at 1:00 pm on May 24th at the First Presbyterian Church, 501 Mission Drive, Newberg, Oregon. Donations may be made in his honor to the American Lung Association or Newberg School District.