Hubert Martin Jr.

1932 - 2026

Hubert M. Martin, Jr., a loved and respected member of the University of Kentucky community, died on January 16, 2026 at the age of 93, on the tenth anniversary of his wife Diana's death.

Dr. Martin had a distinguished career teaching Greek, Latin and classical literature to generations of students at Randolph-Macon College, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Kentucky where he taught from 1968 until his retirement in 2016. He was proud to receive the UK Alumni Association's Great Teacher Award in 2003 in a ceremony during halftime of a UK basketball game at Rupp Arena.

Dr. Martin was an active scholar, with many published articles and conference papers, and a book on the Greek lyric poet Alcaeus.

Hubert Martin was born May 7, 1932 in Chattanooga, TN, son of Hubert (Buddy) and Cansada Martin. He attended Bright School, Baylor School (1950 valedictorian), and the University of Chattanooga. He obtained a PhD in Classics at Johns Hopkins University before starting his teaching career.

Hubert married Diana Harp in 1952 and the two were together until Diana's death in 2016. Hubert spent his last years in Tucson, AZ with their son Buddy and daughter Charla. In addition to their two children, Hubert is survived by three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his sisters Sandra Weeks and Gladys Edwards.

Hubert and Diana were devoted Episcopalians, then Anglicans, throughout their lives together. Hubert will be buried next to Diana in a public graveside service at Lexington Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on January 30, followed by a reception at the nearby Staybridge Suites Lexington hotel. A memorial service will be held at Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson at a later date. Donations in Hubert's memory may be made to St. Patrick's Anglican Church in Lexington or Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson.