Martin Katz

Martin Katz was born on May 16, 1927 in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrants, Fannie and David Katz. While growing up and throughout college at St. John's University, he worked at his family's Penny Arcades in Coney Island and on Broadway. He was discharged from the Army in November of 1946. He married Lee Nesenblatt, his wife of almost 66 years, in December of 1947.
Martin received his Bachelors in Science at St. John's University in 1948. He continued his education at Columbia University (Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Science Education in 1948, and Master of Arts in 1951). He was an Assistant Professor from 1948 to 1953. He completed his education at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (Doctor of Science in Pharmacy in 1954). Finally, he attended the Stanford Business Executive Program in 1974.
Martin's east coast career included employment at Pfizer (1953-1955) where he developed Terramycin intramuscular and intravenous products, and Revlon (1955-1960) where he founded the "Cosmeceutical Group". While at Revlon, he served as President of the New York Society of Cosmetic Sciences. In 1960, he joined Syntex as Senior Vice President of Research. He then moved with his young family to California in 1964 where they resided in Palo Alto, Los Altos Hills, and Menlo Park. At Syntex, he ushered in products including Norinyl, Synalar, and Aleve/Naproxen over a 25 year career, and supervised research at acquired companies. After Syntex, he helped found APPharma, a drug delivery systems company. In 1990, he retired and formed his own consulting company, Synymed. Martin holds multiple patents and published many articles and papers in pharmaceutical technology.
Outside of work, Martin was active on the Congregation Beth Am Board and coordinated South Peninsula activities during the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Martin and Lee traveled worldwide for both business and pleasure. They were longtime subscribers and supporters of San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco's Opera, and many additional theater groups. He was a proud father, grandfather, and uncle and participated enthusiastically in activities and travel with his children, nephews, and grandchildren. Martin played tennis and skied into his 80s. He started sculpting in 1984, working in many medias. His "Yizkor" was featured in the 1992 New York 9/11 Commemoration, and his "Moebius Loop Torah" and "Kaddish: From Grief to Solace" are installed at Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, CA.
Martin is survived by his two daughters (Beth Katz Helms and Hallie Katz Normington), their husbands (Roger Lamar Helms and Richard Victor Normington), four grandchildren (Gina Helms Donovan, Jason Joseph Helms, Natalie Sarah Helms, Sara Normington Zachary), three great grandchildren (Jack Ryan Donovan, Wiley Christopher Donovan, Leah Helen Zachary), and his companion Gabriele Loosen.