Martin Harris Towler

Martin Harris Towler UPPER Martin Harris Towler was born on January 21, 1945, in Galveston, Texas and passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, in Austin.

Martin, affectionately known to family and friends as Mart, was a fourth generation Texan with deep roots from two pioneer families that arrived in Texas over 180 years ago. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston where he served as an acolyte.

Mart was a graduate of Ball High School in Galveston, the University of Texas at Austin, and the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, Vermont. He was a polyglot, fluent in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.

After graduating from SIT, Mart traveled the world, including stops in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. He worked on development projects in Sierra Leone, Brazil, and numerous other countries. In addition to Galveston, Mart lived in Houston, Austin, and Llano and always enjoyed sharing his global perspective with others.

Mart was the family gourmand, loved to garden and cook, and often combined these skills to make wonderful meals for friends and family. He delighted in making traditional gluhwein for the Towler's annual Christmas celebrations. He was an artist of significant skill, especially as a portraitist of those close to him.

Mart spent his last years with the caring staff at Brookdale Senior Living in Austin. At Brookdale, he made many friends and, even while infirm, could easily bring a smile to a fellow resident or caregiver. He was unfailingly kind and considerate of others, who will cherish his wit and wisdom.

Mart is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Martin Lee Towler and Hetta Jockusch Towler as well as his sister Julie Towler Shelton, brother William Lee Towler, and cousin Charles Towler. He survived by his sisters Hetta Towler Kempner, Sally Towler Spann and her husband Roy, cousin Jacquetta Towler Owens, the widower of his sister, Kenneth Shelton, and the widow of his brother Jane Staub Towler.

Mart's life will be celebrated at private services in Austin and Galveston. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Martin's memory to the School for International Training Graduate Institute (1 Kipling Road, Brattleboro, VT 05302) or Trinity Episcopal Church, Galveston (2216 Avenue H, Galveston, TX 77550).