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BORN
1947
DIED
2021
George Martz Obituary
Artist and teacher George Eugene Martz, age 73, died quietly at home on February 4th, 2021 after a long, courageous battle with the complications of Parkinson's Disease.
Martz was born in April 1947, the son of Leon E. and Ann Wolf Martz in Chestnut Hill, PA. Martz spent his childhood in Oreland, PA and upon graduating from Springfield High School in 1969, went to the University of Delaware. He graduated with a BA in 1973.
After graduation, Martz remained in Delaware, which would be his home for the rest of his life. His teaching began at Laurel High School and in early 1983, he started a 27-year career at Tower Hill School as an art teacher. Martz had the skill and fortitude needed to instruct a broad range of ages and grades, from 1st to 12th, and loved being able to develop his students' talents from crayons to oil paint. In addition to teaching, Martz was a tenacious soccer and wrestling coach, coaching several Laurel and Hiller wrestlers to state level wins.
A distinguished artist in a variety of mediums, Martz excelled in oil paints. His paintings ranged from lyrical abstracts to landscapes inspired by his family farm in the Cumberland Valley, the high desert near Santa Fe, the coast of Maine, and the wetlands of Kent County and the Eastern Shore. He was an exhibiting member of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the National Collage Society, The [Artists'] Breakfast Club, a featured artist at The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE, and was a long-standing volunteer art teacher at The Country House in Greenville, DE.
He is survived by his wife Nancy S. Martz of Centerville; his sister Kathryn M. Smith of Boiling Springs, PA; his son, Peter G. Martz and his wife Melissa Martz of Loxahatchee Groves, FL; his daughter, Megan Martz and her husband Alex Smith of St. Petersburg FL; his stepdaughter, Elizabeth S. Fiechter, of Wilmington, DE, and stepson William D. Sproesser III of Rochester, NY. He is also survived by six grandsons, former wife Andrea S. Scott, extended family members, and friends and students he held close to his heart.
George was exceptionally warm-hearted and kind, fun loving, and irreverent — traits that helped him as he dealt with his heart-breaking diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease in 2000. Martz deeply believed everyone has the spark of creative genius within — all it takes is a bit of encouragement to bring that spark to life. So many have made their own art, and gone on to sports achievements, because they knew him and were inspired to believe they could.
The family gratefully offers the names of two organizations for memorial donations in George's name: The Michael J. Fox Foundation, NY,NY, and A Mother's Heart Corp, Loxahatchee, FL. A celebration of life is planned in April.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Martz
Morgan Hendry
February 24, 2021
I was incredibly sad to hear of Mr. Martz's passing. I was both a student of his and worked with him on the Tower Hill School yearbook. Many of his lessons have stuck with me to this day, and I'll share one here.
In middle school, a number of the young men in Mr Martz's class we're being...young men...and were giving him no end of grief about one of his sketching lessons. When one of the students pushed the right button, Mr. Martz stopped what he was doing and walked over to the table where we all happened to be sitting. He placed two blank, white sheets of scrap paper on the table: one in front of the student, one on front of him. He then said, simply, "draw me a line".
The student quickly and definitely scrawled a mark on the paper.
What Mr. Martz did next has stuck with me to this day. He placed the tip of his pencil on the paper and began his line. Without stopping or lifting his hand, he rotated the pencil flat, broadening the line, bore down to the point of shedding graphite, and then, with a careful rotation of his wrist, made the line fade to almost nothing before finishing with the tip of the pencil. Mr Martz's drew a line, but one that evolved through its length with the deliberate nuance of a master.
I did not become a visual artist, but did continue to pursue music alongside my engineering career. I think about that lesson often when I sit down at an instrument. In fact, I've had "draw me a line" written on the current list of inspirations for my next project. If one note, one line, or one act can convey such meaning, are we truly making each one count?
Thank you, Mr. Martz.
Gina Burris
February 22, 2021
I still have the piece of abstract art I created in 8 grade under the instruction of Mr. Martz. He was such a wonderful teacher. I framed the piece and it still hangs in my bedroom at 61. I was thirteen in 1973 when it was created at Laurel Middle School ❤My condolences
Katie Sommers
February 17, 2021
I have many fond memories of when Mr. Martz would take groups of students with him to paint by the Brandywine River in the summers. He was a wonderful art teacher and such a kind person. I'm so glad to have known him.
Lorraine Weaver
February 16, 2021
Nancy
We all have special friends in life and you and George were one of ours. We will miss him. A kind gentleman who adored his wife and family. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Lori and Bruce
Kimberly Parker
February 15, 2021
A wonderful man with a warm heart who made a huge impression on this once awkward teenage girl who felt she had no artistic ability. Not sure I do but he sure made me feel as if I could do art. He just appreciated different views and visions. As a 53 year old woman I have thought of him many times and the fond memories he brought to my crazy middle school days. Glad he is at peace and I will look for his art in the clouds.
Maggie Giddens
February 15, 2021
I've always loved art thanks to Mr. Martz. I was never going to be an art major but he fueled my passion for it just as much as he did for the students with talent. His calm demeanor and sense of humor is something I will never forget. Sending love to his family, especially Pete. - Maggs
February 14, 2021
Mr. Martz was an incredible artist, and inspirational teacher, and a wonderful person.
Richard S. Roby
February 14, 2021
We are so sorry to hear of George's passing. My wife and I were fellow teachers when he taught in Laurel and considered him a good friend.
Dick & Shirley Roby
Nancy P Greenberg
February 14, 2021
Nancy and family, We are so sorry to hear about George's passing. He was a talented artist and teacher, a true gentleman. Prayers of comfort from Marc, Nancy, Sam, Harry and Ben Greenberg
Mary Julian
February 14, 2021
Nancy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you, Mary Julian
Madalyn Schultz Petit
February 14, 2021
A true gentleman, a talented artist, a caring teacher, a trustworthy friend, a kind, generous and loving man. I will cherish the memories of our times together. And I will always miss him.
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