Computer science professor dies after 29 years of service

Tuesday, January 14, 1997

FACULTY:

Cancer claims life of distinguished

professor and alumnusBy Karen Duryea

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

UCLA’s department of computer science lost a valued faculty
member over the holiday break. David Frederic Martin, an
engineering alumnus and professor of computer science for 29 years,
died Dec. 22 of cancer at the age of 59.

"The thing that everybody would say about David is that he was a
dedicated teacher," said Professor Richard Muntz, chairman of the
computer science department. "He was an extremely kind, concerned
person … one of the most outstanding teachers in the
department."

Martin began his career in engineering when he enrolled as a
freshman at UCLA in 1955. After meeting and marrying his wife
during college, Martin continued his studies, receiving his
bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from UCLA in 1960, 1962
and 1966, respectively.

Martin began teaching first at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology for two years as an assistant professor of electrical
engineering. In 1967, both he and his wife were drawn back to
Southern California, and Martin joined the UCLA faculty, where
computer science was just a fledgling department.

"He came in on the ground floor," said Nancy Martin, his wife.
"Then, it was just a blooming field … it was an excellent time to
enter into that."

Over the years, some of Martin’s main interests and research
included theory and implementation of programming language
translators and high-level language computer architecture.

"He was a great researcher, with the ability to synthesize
information that sometimes could be very difficult, and impart that
to students in a way that they could grasp," Nancy Martin
added.

Colleagues also recognized Martin’s ability to captivate his
classroom with his thorough lessons.

"He paid attention to all the details of class, from notes to
careful assignments," Muntz said. Martin’s dedication to teaching
was further revealed by his desire to teach Fall Quarter 1996
despite his illness.

His dedication to teaching and students was rewarded in 1985
when Martin received the prestigious UCLA Distinguished Teaching
Award in the computer science department. He is also fondly
remembered by his students.

"He was more than a professor to me," said 1995 UCLA alumnus
Peter Homeier, the most recent of Martin’s 18 doctoral students.
"He was very different from other teachers … a quiet man,
extremely thorough and conscientious and never sought glory for
himself, rather he would pour his heart out for his students.

"His lectures were legendary," Homeier added, "leagues beyond
what I was used to at UCLA … Even his handwriting was perfect, it
looked as though a machine had printed it. It revealed what kind of
character he had. Everything that he did, he worked on it until it
was perfect."

Martin’s other interests included religion and music. In 1995,
Martin joined the choir at Church on the Way in the San Fernando
Valley.

"He was a musician at heart," Nancy Martin said. Even as an
undergraduate at UCLA, Martin exercised his musical abilities by
attending organ classes and playing every day.

"He was one of the most gentle, loving and giving men I have
known," said the Reverend Jim Nelson of Church on the Way. "He was
always available to talk to church members … even as he was going
through his illness, he encouraged others. Although he was in pain
from time to time, he never murmured a complaint, he was always
upbeat and positive."

In addition to being a professor and musician, Martin’s family
also remembers him as a wonderful father, and despite his age, a
really "young man."

"He had a quiet elegance, the poise he possessed showed he was
dignified, but at the same time he could be a lot of fun," Nancy
Martin said.

Martin is also survived by his son Christopher, his daughter
Laurel Starkweather and two grandchildren, Megan and Melissa
Starkweather. A memorial ceremony was held at Church on the Way on
Dec. 28.

Gifts in David Martin’s memory are being accepted by Restored
Through Christ Ministries, 2167 Sargent Ave., Simi Valley, CA
93063. Daily Bruin wire services contributed to this story.