David W. Martin

FITCHBURG-David W. Martin, age 79, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. He was born in Chicago, Ill. on March 7, 1942, to John and Carola Martin. David graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a doctorate in meteorology in 1968. When David was 13 years old, his family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa., where he met his future wife, Linda Nelson, the girl next door. He and Linda were married for 57 years and have resided in Fitchburg since 1970. David was a dedicated husband and father and inspired a love of nature in his children. The family enjoyed annual vacations, most of which, involved some combination of camping, backpacking and canoeing. During his career as a research meteorologist spanning more than five decades, David published over 40 peer-reviewed papers. In the exciting years following the launch of the first weather satellites in the 1960s, David pioneered a development of techniques to interpret the new data. He worked closely with colleagues at the UW-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center and collaborators from around the world. David always led by example, consistently modeling his values of integrity, collaboration, and civic engagement in his actions and words. He was a true environmentalist, taking care to minimize his impact on the earth and to save it for future generations. He rode a bicycle, participated in community committees, organized neighborhood clean-ups, and grew a bountiful organic garden. An avid outdoorsman, David enjoyed skiing the trails of the UW Arboretum in winter, hunting morel mushrooms in spring, fishing the rivers of Wisconsin in summer, and paddling his canoe in the Boundary Waters in autumn. He was a daily runner for most of his adult life and participated in more than 10 annual Syttende Mai runs in Stoughton. David was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Elise. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Stacia (Reggie Roper) and Graeme (Dani Luckett); sister, Marion Pliner; and brother, John J. Martin. The family thanks Dr. Scholl and the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their end-of-life care. A memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 beginning at 10 a.m., with a service at 12 noon. Masks and social distancing will be required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Arboretum (University of WI), the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608) 442-5002