William Martinez Jr.

Dr. William "Memo" Martínez Jr., 49, Chair of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department at Cal Poly, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010, in Valladolid, Spain. Born Guillermo Humberto Martinez Lara in National City, Calif., Memo spent most of his childhood in extremely humble circumstances in Tijuana, Mexico. After graduating from high school there in 1979, he returned to California to study mechanical engineering, first at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, and then at San Diego State University. A love of literature led him to change majors, however, and he would go on to earn first a B.A. in Spanish, and later an M.A. in Spanish-American literature. During this period, Memo also worked as a high school substitute teacher and as a college tutor and counselor. Knowing then that he wanted to be a teacher (and student) of literature, Memo entered the Ph.D. program at the University of California at Irvine and earned his doctorate in contemporary Latin-American poetry in 1993. He began his career at Cal Poly in September of that same year. Since then, he devoted himself tirelessly and inspirationally to his roles as teacher, scholar, advisor, citizen of the academy, leader and mentor. He published his research on various subjects in Spanish language literature, was an expert on the poetry of Pablo Neruda, served on numerous committees at the college and university level and was an award winning advisor for various student clubs and organizations. From 2000 to 2006, and 2009 to the present, he was chair of the Modern Language and Literature department. In 2001, in honor of his excellence and dedication to his teaching and his students, Memo won Cal Poly''s prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award. A strong proponent of international education, Memo helped to develop Cal Poly abroad programs in Mexico, Chile and China. For many years, he was co-administrator of the program in Vallodalid, Spain, and spent alternate fall quarters in residence. He was there this month, to renew Cal Poly''s study abroad agreement with the University of Vallodolid when he was stricken. On his webpage Memo wrote, "I believe that different poetic movements are the souls of the period from which they came''¦.This is perhaps, the most telling reason why I love to teach. Like poetry, every day becomes a new reading, a reading that modifies my environment, my students, but mostly myself." As passionate as Memo was about his teaching and students, he had many passions outside the classroom. He loved professional sports ''" football and basketball, especially. Saturdays and Sundays at his house had the feel of indoor tailgate parties with groups of friends cheering on the Horns or Chargers on his big-screen TV. He loved collecting folk art - the walls of his house and office were adorned with all manner of things Latino or Japanese - plates, crucifixes and prints. Mostly, Memo loved to cook - an unusual find in the supermarket became the excuse for an elaborate evening meal, one that took all day to prepare, but he insisted was no big deal. Memo''s generosity with others was astounding. All his friends believed Memo to be the kindest and most thoughtful man they had ever known. Memo is survived by his wife, Eriko Ishikawa Martinez of San Luis Obispo, who patiently endured his endless supply of stories, fueled by his uncanny memory; brother, Richard Martinez Lara of San Diego, whom he loved and admired. Memo is also survived by many friends, colleagues, and students, both past and present - all of them deeply saddened at the loss of this gracious, cheerful and truly life-loving man. As one friend put it: "Llevaba el sol en subolsillo (He carried the sun in his pocket)." A date for a celebration of his life is pending. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Modern Languages and Literatures Department with the designation "For the W. Martinez, Jr. Memorial Fund." The funds will be used to establish an award/scholarship program for Cal Poly students wishing to study in Spain.