Obituary of Walter Martin

Born in Durban, South Africa, Professor Emeritus of English Literature, died peacefully at home on April 5th, 2015, one day short of his 95th birthday. Darling husband of Katharine Frances, nee Hamp (1926 - 1967) and Patricia Amy, nee Denniston, (1923 - 2012). He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his children Mary (Andrew), Jane, and David (Betsy). He has been the devoted and beloved Granddad to James, Amy, Katharine, Larisa, Andrea (Wouter), and Nicholas. Predeceased by his brother Mick (1923 - 1994), he is survived by his sister Ursula Swan of South Africa, and his sisters-in-law Benedicta Burvill, Anne Grant and Anne Browne. He was the much loved uncle to Julia Martin; John, Howard and Sarah Swan; Sarah, Robert, Richard, Simon and Katharine Burvill; John, Michael, Andrew, Steven and David Grant; and Simon, Louisa, Adam, Rachel and James Browne. Walter was a devoted family man, a brave WWII veteran and PoW, and an exceptional teacher of literature for which he was given the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1980. For the citation a student wrote "There is not one of us who has sat in his classes, met him in the hallway, or heard his readings at department gatherings who is not a little wiser and a little better for having known him." Walter was also an actor, sportsman and a conservationist. May the thousands of trees he planted outlive us all. Our family would like to thank everyone who helped our father in his last years. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to "The Friends of English Literature" endowment fund, University of Waterloo or the Grand River Conservation Foundation arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445. The funeral service is on Friday, April 10th at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church, corner of Northfield Drive and Westmount. Refreshments will be served in the church hall immediately following the service. The family will be at the church at 1.30 p.m.