Martin John Spalding

Martin John Spalding of Pinecrest, Florida, and Glenview, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on October 13, 2025. He was 97 year old.

Martin was born in Des Plaines, Illinois, on July 25, 1928, to Leonard and Eleonora (Barth) Spalding. He earned his B.S. in chemistry at Lawrence University and pursued graduate studies in Business and Industrial Relations at Loyola University in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for many years.

Martin married his first true love, Patricia Ann Carr, in 1952, attracted to her fierce intellect and natural beauty. Together they raised eight children. He was a loving and involved husband and father, deeply engaged in the life of the family. He played joyfully, sang silly songs, cooked delicious meals and offered sage advice to his children. Mart and Pat both focused on ensuring an excellent education and instilling strong values in their children. They enjoyed delightful gatherings and lively vacations with a vibrant and close-knit circle of friends and relatives who shared their interests, values, and passion for large families.

Mart began his career at the Murine Company, where he set up a control and development lab and developed both Clear Eyes and Lensine eye products. He became the Vice President of Murine and continued in that role when the company became a division of Abbott Labs in 1968. In 1972, he took a job in Miami as President of Biscayne Laboratories and moved his family to Florida. At the same time, he founded Northview Laboratories, a contract research and testing lab located in Northbrook, Illinois, serving the medical device, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Martin envisioned a company that would become a nationwide leader in helping clients develop safe and effective products in compliance with regulatory standards. From the beginning, Pat handled the company's bookkeeping impeccably. Northview thrived and Mart and Pat moved their family back to Glenview in 1978. In 1982, Mart opened Northview Pacific in Berkeley, California, and in 1992 he opened Northview Atlantic in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Most of his children and several of his grandchildren have worked in the family business at some point, and his sons Tom, Mart Jr. and Michael spent most of their careers helping him build the company. Martin sold the Northbrook and Spartanburg labs in 2006. He continued as Chairman of the Board, overseeing the growth of the California lab, now named Pacific Biolabs and located in Hercules. He was an active member of numerous professional organizations, including as President of the Chicago Drug and Chemical society and membership for over 70 years in the American Chemical Society, where he served in multiple leadership roles.

After their children were grown, Mart and Pat traveled extensively, played ever more tennis, golf, and bridge, and began spending winters in their home in Pinecrest. Mart dedicated himself to caring for Pat as she endured a long illness. She passed away in 2004.

A friend introduced Martin to the lovely and lively Theresa Valdez, who also had a successful career in the life science industry, and they married in 2009. Martin treasured Theresa's grace, strength, and zest for life. They spent their joyful years together traveling, dancing, and enjoying their children and grandchildren. With Theresa by his side, Martin was able to live a full life until his last days.

Martin was a lifelong Catholic who was deeply committed to his large and loving family. He served as a role model to his children and grandchildren, achieving great success while acting with integrity and contributing to his community. Martin will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife Theresa, his children Tom (Carol Brown), Mart Jr. (Judi), Jim (Karin), Mary (Mark Lazar), Martha, Michael (Mikaela), Joanne, and John (T), his step-daughter Tessy Aly (Santiago), 30 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Patricia, his sister Mary Picchi, his brother Al, and his grandson Steven.

A wake will be held on Friday, October 17, at 4-8:00 pm, at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Road, Glenview, IL. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 18, at 11:30 am, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1775 Grove Street, Glenview, IL. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foundation Order of Malta Inc. (Medical Missions) or UNICEF USA.