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 Martin, Judith A. Age 63, a vibrant and seemingly omnipresent force in the Twin Cities, died on Monday morning, October 3 at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, following complications from cancer. A Chicago native but a longtime resident of Minneapolis, Martin was one of the most visible and prolific commentators on the history, growth, and redevelopment of the Twin Cities. A professor of geography and director of the urban studies program at the University of Minnesota, she took seriously her responsibility to serve the people of the state both inside and outside of the classroom. Martin sat on the City Planning Commission for 17 years, including seven as chair, and was a member of numerous city subcommittees and task forces. She long lobbied for the greening and redevelopment of Minneapolis's riverfront-a process she saw unfold firsthand from her home in the Grove Street Flats on Nicollet Island. In 2010, she chaired the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the redesign of Boom Island. Martin's varied and influential career at the University of Minnesota began in 1970. She earned a master's degree in American history and an M.A. and Ph.D. in American Studies. After she joined the faculty in 1975, she held appointments in the American Studies and history departments, as well as the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. In addition to her positions in geography and urban studies, she was an adjunct professor at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a fellow of the law school. From 2007 to 2010 she was the inaugural co-director of the Metropolitan Studies Consortium, which sought to unify and focus the many units of the University that address urban and regional issues. She served on the faculty senate in many capacities, as well as on countless committees with a broad range of responsibilities. She was recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the Morse Alumni Teaching Award, the President's Outstanding Community Leadership Award, and the College of Continuing Education's Distinguished Educator Award. In 2009, she was awarded the President's Outstanding Service Award. Among the many classes she taught was a survey course on the geography of the Twin Cities, which hundreds of students took each year-many learning to their chagrin that understanding the cities and their region was far more complex than they expected. Martin's brusque but cheery style inspired many to get out into the city and see what they could learn from close observation of the city and the people in it. One of her favorite exercises was to assign students to ride an unfamiliar bus route and describe the ridership patterns, landscape, and social relations that they observed. She published widely on planning, public policy, and Twin Cities developments, including St. Anthony Main and the Mall of America. Her books included Where We Live: Residential Districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul (co-authored with David Lanegran of Macalester College). In 1993, she and her university colleague Rob Silberman won a Jerome Foundation Book Arts Award for The Gateway. She also created and edited the Metropolitan Portraits book series for the University of Pennsylvania Press. Her articles appeared in the Journal of Urban Affairs, in the Journal of the American Planning Association, and, this past May, the New York Times website. She also appeared in videos and films about the Twin Cities. All of her work was grounded in a strong belief in the importance of knowledge derived from experience-"how things really are," as she often said - rather than theories about places or people. An enthusiastic yet private person, Martin had an intense passion for local theater and dance, attending dozens of performances every year. She was a committed and active board member of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. She is survived by her sister, Maureen Martin-Huber; her brother, Dennis and her brother-in-law, Philip Huber, as well as by legions of friends, students and colleagues whose lives have been enriched by her passion and enthusiasm for the urban experience. Her death impoverishes many of the cities' most vital conversations. A celebration of her life is scheduled for Sunday, October 30 at 2:00 pm at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. Memorials can be directed to: Minnesota Fringe Festival, 79 - 13th Avenue NE, Suite 112, Minneapolis, MN 55413 Friends of Northrop Dance Season, Fund 1996, University of Minnesota Foundation, Lockbox B, PO Box 70870, C-M 3854, St. Paul, MN 55170-3854 The Judith Martin Memorial Fund, c/o University of Minnesota Foundation, C-M 3854, PO Box 70880, Saint Paul, MN 55170-3854
Published in Star Tribune on October 9, 2011
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