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Tributes to John Martin

In response to the news of John's death spreading through the D&T community many have emailed me with comments and thoughts about his impact, both personally and more widely. Though not written as formal tributes, these notes of shock and sadness make clear the loss to our community (just one of the communities John was involved in), so I am collating them here.

As a preface to the tributes I have included a response from John's wife, Cheryl, and the rest of his family to what people have had to say.

Work was an important part of John's life. His involvement with the
introduction, development and ongoing support of the teaching of electronics in schools was particularly satisfying to him. He found it intellectually stimulating, and greatly enjoyed working alongside colleagues, teachers and students - many of whom he counted as friends.

I know that John would want me to thank you all for making it possible for
him to make his own unique contribution in the field of education.

For myself and Anna and Philip, I would like you to know that we have been very touched by people's tributes to John and by the sympathies expressed towards us. Thank you.

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Such sad news. My thoughts go out to all John's family at this time.

Through the ECT initiative and latterly CARA I got to know John as a great Ambassador for Electronics. He was so helpful in many ways, the resources he produced for the CARA project were fantastic pieces of work that many students have now used (with ease) to help them develop their knowledge of Electronics, he always had an understandable answer for any technical problem I had and most importantly he never made me worry about asking questions that I knew were probably basic ones that I really should have known the answer to.

I'm sure that over the years he has helped and inspired a lot of teachers to keep improving their knowledge of Electronics, which has in turn allowed our students to keep pushing the boundaries. He will be sadly missed by me and many others.

 Mal Weightman, The Queen Katherine School, Kendal

I wanted to tell you how sad it is to hear about John. I learned a lot of wonderful things from John during our workshop last summer. I've incorporated some of those things into my beginning circuits course and digital course in our Electrical Engineering Technology program.

Stephanie Goldberg, Buffalo Sate University, New York

This is such sad news especially as John’s considerable insight and understanding were just beginning to come to fruition in a modernised d&t curriculum. He will be sorely missed by the profession.

David Barlex, Director, Nuffield D&T

Received your message and the very sad news about John about three hours ago and it has taken that long to even consider responding. Your sadness must seem like a bottomless pit right now. We know that his heart has not been good, but we lived in hope that he was over that problem and would be with us for a long, long time. Certainly, the profession has lost one of its stars and we have lost a fine friend. I am pleased to have known him for a long time and to count him as a dear friend.


I do not profess to have known him well, but on the occasions that I had the chance to talk to him I was always impressed by his depth of knowledge, his passion for the subject and that he was able to convey all of this in such a quiet and unassuming manner. He will be very much missed.


From the few times I met him I knew I was talking to a real 'gentleman' in all senses of the word. We will miss his knowledge and wisdom.


What terribly sad news - John was an extremely likeable and knowledgeable man, and I know that he will be missed by many.

I think I speak for everybody who John has worked with here at the Radclyffe and the Oldham spoke when I say I am deeply saddened and upset by this news. Obviously our thoughts go out to Cheryl and his family at this time. John had a brilliant mind and was a complete gentleman, as well as an integral part of the D&T community. His work with our school and others in the local area really helped us to take electronics further and it was his idea to set up the "spoke" networks which have become so successful.

David Taylor, The Radclyffe School, Oldham and Manchester EiSS hub

Just heard the news about John - what a tragic loss! I have had a sense of John always being there quietly in the
background, from the days when he and Martin launched the first D&T news, constantly and consistently inching the profession forwards. A great loss to D&T - but nothing compared to the loss his family must now be feeling - my thoughts are with them.

Professor Kay Stables, Goldsmiths, University of London

I was saddened to hear the news about John but it did bring back some good memories. People may remember the D&T Times newspaper and, like me, have old copies tucked away. I have good memories of working with him and Martin Coleman on an addition for ‘different cultures’ when I was quite new to the subject. The newspaper was always informative and quite influential at the time. On a personal level John always had a smile and was genuinely interested in the development of young people as designers and makers. I’ll miss bumping into him at the NEC and other events. He will be remembered by many in the profession.

Mike Martin, Liverpool John Moores University

I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about John's unfortunate death. Obviously my thoughts are with his wife and family. I have been privileged to know John over the last four years where he was a constant source of support and inspiration to me during my early years getting to grips with teaching Electronics and in supporting both the 'spoke' here at The Kingsway, and in the action research carried out in looking at electronics in a more creative way. I will miss him greatly, and hope that it is of some comfort to his wife that his last moments were with her in a place that he loved. A sad loss for all of us, such a gentleman, a font of endless knowledge and patience and an inspiration to us all.

David Leask, The Kingsway School, Stockport

Such a sad loss to all his family, and grandchildren. I enjoyed talking to him about his family etc. on car journeys back and forth between the hotel and the Buffalo summer school last year.  John achieved such a lot in service to education... 

Alan Paul, D&T education consultant

I am so sorry and couldn't believe it when I read your message. John was such a good man and he taught me a lot; he really will be missed enormously.

Thanks for the news about John Martin - he was solid gold. Almost as sad as his partner Martin Colemans death a few years back. They were an indefatigable pair. 

David Perry, David Perry Associates

Roger Dettmer, Editor, Electronics Education

So, so, sorry to hear your news. John was a great educationalist and we will miss him greatly. I have worked with him, or should I say parallel to him on a number of US courses for a period in excess of 20 years. 

Peter Sellwood, D&T education consultant

Very sad news. John has been very helpful to us in the past, and was always great to work with. I'd appreciate it if you could pass on our condolences to his family.

Ever since I have know John I found him to be one of the most creative people working in the field of electronics and microelectronics education.  We first met in the 80's when he did some outstanding work with the Microelectronics Education Programme - 'Microelectronics for All' was such an engaging introduction to logic and counting.  And so much more since then!  Above all I remember John's enthusiasm and passion for sharing with teachers and students the importance of electronic systems.

We also had in common our heart problems and inevitably shared news and symptoms when we met.  Last time we spoke, things seemed good for him - so this has come as a great shock.  John was one of the 'good guys' and made such a great contribution to Design and Technology Education.

Mike Ive HMI 1980-2003

Very sorry to hear this, John will be missed by a lot of people. His tireless support in helping others improve their electronics teaching will also be missed.

Clive Seager, Technical Director, Revolution Education

Thanks for the news.  It is sad indeed and my thoughts are with his family. In my limited time with John he was indeed a fine decent man who would stop at nothing to help.  He was passionate about Electronic education.  Please pass on my sentiments if you are in a position to do so.

 
I am oh so sorry to hear such dreadful news. John was committed to improving and supporting and was so helpful to me in the three years or so I have known him. Please pass my condolences to his family, yours in shock,

 
I am saddened by the news of John's death and my prayers go out to his family at this time. John's enthusiasm for electronics was very motivational and I am grateful to have benefitted from his vast experience. Please accept my condolences.

He will be greatly missed. My robotic project was a success because of his inspiration as a teacher. As I recently wrote to him:

"Our robotic arm is now constructed.  What a wonderful project.  We just need to get the microprocessor figured out.  I know as a teacher, sometimes the reward is paid back when a student says "With out your help, I would never have been able to accomplish so much".  I would like to say that to you!  Thanks for your help, this project is the fruits of your labor.  I would never have tried such a project by myself."

Steven Kennedy, Orchard Park High School, New York State

That's just a shock. The man was just e-mailing the group site recently. It is really sad and he will be missed.

Michael DiMattei, Tech. Ed. Teacher, New York State

I tend to personally reflect on lighter moments of people's lives when they pass. While John was a serious, passionate, caring, and valuable person who we all will obviously miss, I'll choose to tell a somewhat twistedly humorous story involving John from last summer.

You may recall that one day, I hosted a school group on tour of our summer workshop. The students were all from a special school of extremely high intelligence students with very serious emotional, behavioral, and/or physical challenges. When we visited the control tech room, one young man was instantly enamored with the activity going on there and began questioning John extensively about some fairly high level technical information. John became quite engaged with the young man and very intensely was communicating on a relatively high level with the student. I watched the student's face as his eyes and mind were locked in on John's every word with such intensity, the student began to get overexcited. He broke into a visible sweat and went into a mild epileptic seisure to which his teacher aid replied that this was not that unusual when the student became excited. The teacher aid further commented to John that his ability to feed this student's curiosity with such intensity obvoiusly short circuited the poor student's system. John received a few good natured chuckles about his knowledge of electronics "short circuiting" the poor student. As the student quickly recovered and he and John concluded the conversation, all ended well.

John's quiet manner was no indicator of the volume of his influence on those hw worked with and taught. I am honored to have known and worked with him. May peace quickly bless his friends and family.

Clark Greene, Buffalo Sate University, New York

I have just found out about Johns death,what a shock.

I had only known him for the short time on the electronics course but i found him to be a really warm and friendly person with a wealth of experience and knowledge  that made me think i had known him for years.He will be missed a great deal and i would like to offer my condolences to his family.

Martin Lofthouse, D&T Teacher

I am very saddened to hear of the death of John Martin - he and I published together not so long ago and I always enjoyed chatting with him at DATA conferences.

Malcolm Welch, Queens University, Canada

It is with great sadness that I noted your email regarding John.

I had known John just short of 10 years and he was immensely talented in developing and applying ECT based materials.  He had contributed a great deal to a number of earlier TEP projects and products and was always happy to give very sound and valuable advice freely. John was a talented and humble man whom I respected greatly.  He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched and influenced. The D&T world has lost another true pillar of wisdom. 

Once again and with sadness thank you for letting me know. We will say few prayers for John and all his family.

Nick Baldwin, Technology Enhancement Programme

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of John Martin. Although I only attended one of his courses in the 1980's at Salford it was memorable for the depth of his knowledge and his enthuiastic teaching. He was an inspiration to me as a young teacher.

Since that time I have read many of his articles and co-operated with John on an article for DATA in November 2006 together with Economatics Ltd. I only spoke to John on the phone but as ever he was humble and patient explaining issues to someone with less understanding than himself. John has done a wonderful job in advancing our subject area and I am
sure he has inspired many others to continue his work.

Please pass on my condolences to his family.

Chris Rowley, Electronics Consultant, Rotherham LA

It was with great shock and sadness that I recently learned of John’s passing.  I was part of the first Electronics session at Buffalo  State last summer.  I learned a lot from John.  He provided excellent instruction and was always very patient in helping us learn a new concept.  I remember him saying to me, “If you don’t understand it, then I must not have explained it well enough,” which of course was not the case.  (Rather, it was my limited electronics background going into the course.)  His helpfulness, patience, and sense of humor made a lasting impression on me, and, I’m sure, on countless other students as well.  I’m so sorry for your loss.

Fonda Thompson, Tech Ed Teacher, New York State

John's death is a tremendous loss to the electronics education community but his memory will live on in the legacy of his work and the persuasive influence on all who were fortunate to work with him. John was a reserved, caring and intelligent person and his vision and guidance have made a deep impact on my career.

Andy Cooper, Nottinham Trent University, UK

Elegy for John Martin

Too suddenly, too soon, taken by surprise,
But then sad news often comes suddenly, even when expected.
The letter, the phone call – about you it was by e-mail.
It said you were out walking with your family;
    - something you liked to do, looking at grand vistas

And you always did like to see ‘the big picture’
You’ve helped others to see that too.
Now your light has gone out and the view is not so clear,
But for a while it guided and informed us and gave us
    - a vision of how things could be

With your creative mind and productive pen,
For over a quarter of a century you made and wrote.
Not just a theoretical standpoint; you showed, you made, you did.
You were inventive and there was still more to come;
    - we are not ready for your long rest.

We talk of ‘legacy’ – perhaps we talk too much of legacy,
What each great man or woman has wrought for us all.
What will yours be? You cured no lame but you caused no war either,
But your legacy is there; seen and unseen;
    - and its ripples will continue awhile.

There’ll be tributes written and fine words said,
But they won’t get close to you; who can?
Your family knew you far better than any words we write.
With my own meagre words reflecting but a small part;
    - but it was good to be part of your life and you of mine.

And at the end what can we all hope for?
To be spoken of in quiet conversation. ‘Do you remember when John said …?’,
Is all we need and sometimes,  now and again,
Just to be brought to mind by those who knew and loved us;
    - and in quiet reflection, remembered with fondness.

I shall especially remember John’s voice, his smile and his conversation – all of which you’d look forward to after travelling half the world to a conference.  John’s professional contributions were excellent – they were strong and enduring.  My condolences to Cheryl and family.