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Valentino E. Martinez Jr.

1952 - 2021

BORN

1952

DIED

2021

Valentino Martinez Obituary

Valentino E. Martinez, Jr

June 27, 1952 - Feb. 23, 2021

Val Martinez passed away on February 23, 2021 at his home in Arizona surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (nee Mach); his step-sons: Chris Watson and Andy (Allison) Watson; grandchildren: Connor, Jaedyn, Jacie. He is also survived by his siblings: sister, Christy (Dave) Martinez-Andrews; sister, Monica Martinez; brother, Vince (Diane) Martinez; sister in law, Cora Martinez; uncle/aunt, Rudy and Rachel Garcia; nieces and nephews: Michele, Rene, Jerry, Kathy, Monica, Frank, Enrique, Amber, Matt, Brett, Vince, Eric, and their spouses and children. Many cousins and extended family.

Val was preceded in death by his parents: Valentino, Sr. and Carole Martinez; sister, Valerie Purevich; brother, Frank Martinez.

Val graduated from Highland High School in 1970 and served his country in the U.S. Army from 1972-1974. He graduated from Indiana University in 1977 after which he attended Princeton University in 1978 on a full scholarship. He joined the State Department in 1980 while teaching at Princeton. Val served in the Foreign Service for 20 years and received numerous awards including the State Department Superior Honor Award. He served in Central America, Belfast, Northern Ireland, the White House, Mexico City and Bosnia. After he left the Foreign Service, he returned to Highland, IN to take on the task of educating the next generation. He taught at Richard J. Daley College for a short time until a position at Purdue University Northwest became available. His 13 years at Purdue were rewarded with the successes of his students and a scholarship named in his honor. In 2014, he and Nancy moved to Arizona and Val again chose to impart his expansive knowledge of history, government and law to the students at Grand Canyon University where he worked for 7 years. Val's passion for the subjects he taught was only surpassed by the many accolades from his students and colleagues throughout the years.

Val's interests ran the gamut from reading everything he could regarding history to music to games. His love of music was evident to all who knew him, and the blues really hit home for him. He loved playing guitar either by himself or with his friends. He even played in a band with former high school friends when he returned to Highland. His musical knowledge was legendary and constantly challenged by family and friends in the form of trivia contests. He also enjoyed a good game of chess and played whenever he could. His love of games was rooted in his family from early on. There were card games, poker included, and of course, the weekly Scrabble game. He laughed at how he cheated his mom at Scrabble for date money with his girlfriend, Nancy.

To all who knew Val, he will be sorely missed. He was a kind, generous, and inspiring man. He was always willing to listen and could explain something so that anyone could understand. He led a very interesting and diverse life but was as down to earth as they come.

Donations in his name can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or to St. Jude, www.stjude.org or a local St Jude facility.

A memorial will be scheduled for a future date and notification will be posted.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times on Mar. 3, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Valentino Martinez

11 Entries

Ryan Lorance

August 7, 2024

I was a student of Professor Martinez at Purdue Cal. He had an amazing way of challenging people on all kinds of beliefs. He would never tell a person that they were wrong. Rather, he would ask lots of questions. He had a phrase he used often, "In my class, we make arguments, not assertations." He changed my way of looking at the world and forced me to challenge my own closely held beliefs. I realized that many of the opinions I held were not based in reality. Once I hit that point, I kind of had to rebuild my identity, this time with my newfound critical thinking skills. I'll forever be indebted to Professor Martinez. One of my life's regrets is that I was never able to tell him how much he impacted my life before he passed away.

Noemi Sanchez

February 4, 2022

Val Martinez was my mentor at Grand Canyon University, I miss him and wished we had more time to talk. I's a parapro at a highschool right now and have attempted to adopt his teaching style. He was my hero. I send all my love to his family.

Margaret Sears Lindley

December 2, 2021

I am so sorry to learn of Val's death. My heartfelt sympathy to his family. I knew Val at Princeton University and I was the friend who persuaded him to take the Foreign Service Exam. I even picked up coffee and drove him to the exam site just to make sure he went through with it. Val was brilliant and full of the right kind of fury. What a loss. RIP.

bery khorany

October 7, 2021

I was just thinking about him as I approach my Masters graduation. Professor Martinez shaped me. I miss him!

Phil Herr

March 6, 2021

Val was very close friend since we met in 1976 in Bloomington, IN. Fortunately, our lives intersected many times after that. He was one of the smartest and most grounded people I have had the pleasure to know, a rare combination. I attribute that to his close-knit family and what he referred to as "no nonsense Midwestern upbringing." Growing up in nearby Goshen, I knew exactly what he meant. He never stopped reading, learning, or listening to great music. It didn´t surprise me that after seeing a lot of the world he went back to teaching so he could share his knowledge and insights, touching many lives. Rest In Peace my brother, your legacy will not be forgotten.

Chris Dell

March 5, 2021

Val and I joined the Foreign Service together forty years ago. He was one of the smartest and most original diplomats of our generation. He was also my best friend and best man. His loss leaves the world a little darker without the light he brought to it. It was the honor of a lifetime to know Val and to call him a brother officer. Que te vaya bien, mi amigo. Hasta siempre.

Michael Pérez

March 3, 2021

I had the pleasure of serving with, and doing life with Val in Mexico City. We informally sang together as "Little Elvis and the Teardrops." I wish I had stayed in touch. Val had a great impact on my life in the way he led, and the integrity with which he approached all aspects of his life. Rest in peace, my friend. God is enjoying a tune with Val in heaven today ... likely Carlos Santana.

Cora Martinez

March 3, 2021

All of our love to you Nancy and your family in this time of sorrow. We love and will miss Val forever.

Marcus May

March 3, 2021

Deeply saddened to hear of Professor Martinez's passing. I am originally from Ireland and an alumni of Purdue Calumet. I was a student in all of his classes offered and enjoyed our talks outside in the courtyard after. I was amazed of his stories and first hand accounts of his involvement with the Good Friday Agreement and ultimate end of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. To his family my humble sympathies and it was an honor to have known him. I pray you find peace.

Linda Dabrowski Balthis

March 3, 2021

Vince, Diane, Vince, Mike, Eric and Mariyah and extended family... my deepest condolences . Val was an awesome man. He was filled with knowledge. Just knowing he was on jeopardy is impressive. He will greatly be missed. Love you all.

Cipriano Rodriguez III

March 3, 2021

My condolences to the family. Professor Martinez (Val) will always have a special place in my heart. I'll miss you dearly my friend, or as I called him "Professor Tio". He was a special man that touched and shaped the lives of many. Love always, Cip.

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