'HE TOUCHED US WITH HIS WISDOM'

By Rachel Schwartz

Norman Martin, S.J., loved Santa Clara above all other places.

And last Saturday, Santa Clara returned that love during a celebratory mass filled with laughter, tears and stories of the lives touched by Martin.

Over 100 friends of Martin's -- Santa Clara students, faculty, staff and alumni -- filled the Mission Church as members of the Jesuit community from Santa Clara, Bellarmine College Preparatory and Sacred Heart Jesuit Center began the service to the joyful melodies of a small choir.

"He touched us with his wisdom, charm, friendship and kindness," said University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., who described the service as "a celebration in word and song."

The theme of friendship prevailed over the service for Fr. Martin, who died Feb. 5 of congestive heart failure.

"He really defined his life by his friends," said Arthur Liebscher, S.J., who delivered the homily at the service.

A Bay Area native, Martin was born in Half Moon Bay and grew up in San Mateo. He graduated from Santa Clara in 1937, joining the history department faculty in 1958.

Martin had a passion for history. As a Guggenheim fellow and recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Philosophical Society, his studies took him to Europe, Southeast Asia and South America.

Liebscher and others recalled Martin's extensive travels throughout the world and his seemingly endless connections to people wherever he traveled.

"When he spoke of cities, he spoke of the people he knew there," Liebscher said.

Martin was best described by the Spanish term "atento," according to Liebscher. It is a term that means more than just attentive or kind; it describes charisma and a sensitivity to the concerns and cares of others.

Over the years at Santa Clara, Martin served as the chaplain for the Catala Club and the Board of Regents, in addition to his teaching position.

"He had an encyclopedic knowledge of people at Santa Clara," said John McInerny '49.

Before his death, Martin worked as the assistant to the president in the Development Office.

"Father Martin was one of the very first Jesuits I met when I came to the university," Richard Toomey, associate vice provost for enrollment management said. "He was a warm, wonderful, compassionate, real human being."

Friends recalled his daily swims at the Malley Fitness Center pool, his passion for history, and his amazing ability to keep track of the lives of his friends, to whom he wrote notes in times of joy or loss. He wrote at least three notes every night of the year, according to Liebscher.

"He was always aware of the condition of others," Paul Soukup, S.J., said.

Soukup lived across the hall from Martin for 20 years and remembers Martin's daily letters and phone calls. Soukup could not help from laughing as he recalled the daily routine of his friend and neighbor.

"He had a great gift for keeping in touch with lots of folks," Soukup said.

After the service, mourners gathered in front of the Mission Church and comforted each other with additional stories about Martin as they made their way to a reception in the Williman Room.

Martin was buried in the Jesuit cemetery in a private service held by the Jesuits.

"He saw the best in us, which sometimes helped us do our best," friend Barbara Naylor said.